Construction blacklisting risks being inadequately scrutinised by the undercover policing inquiry after a key expert was barred from giving oral evidence - Spycops

Construction blacklisting risks being inadequately scrutinised by the undercover policing inquiry after a key expert was barred from giving oral evidence, a union has claimed.

Dave Smith, a blacklisted construction worker and secretary of the Blacklist Support Group (BSG), had applied for a judicial review to overturn a decision not to hear from him in the third phase of the Spycops inquiry.

However, earlier this month the High Court rejected his bid.

“Our concern is it (blacklisting of construction workers) will not be dealt with properly,” a Unite the Union spokesperson told Construction News after the decision.

Smith’s lawyers had previously argued that he was the only person who has “the knowledge or expertise to challenge the police narrative” on blacklisting in the industry.

Unite is one of more than 100 signatories, including the TUC, GMB, and blacklisted workers, who have sent an open letter to the inquiry’s chair, Sir John Mitting, following the High Court’s decision.

The letter, also signed by former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, argues that not allowing Smith to give oral evidence is “perverse and against the public interest”.

“Without calling on Dave Smith’s in-depth research into the mechanics of blacklisting, the lack of openness by state actors on the issue will go virtually uncontested, and any findings will be based on the failing memories of a small cohort of ex-police officers,” it reads.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who is a core participant in the inquiry, said: “Blacklisting is a disgraceful practice and hundreds of construction workers had their lives ruined.

More - 
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/government/blacklisting-expert-loses-bid-to-appear-before-spycops-inquiry-29-04-2026/

Children were punched, kicked in the stomach and locked outside naked in winter at homes run by Hesley Group in Doncaster...

A five-year police investigation into the "systemic" abuse of children with learning disabilities has been closed without any staff being charged or arrested.

Children were punched, kicked in the stomach and locked outside naked in winter at homes run by Hesley Group in Doncaster between 2018 and 2021, an expert review panel found in 2023.

But the BBC has learned no full file of evidence was ever submitted to prosecutors, nor request made of them to make charging decisions.

South Yorkshire Police said the evidential threshold had not been met for prosecution in what it described as "an incredibly complex case".

The force declined to respond to questions over whether any staff accused of harming children had subsequently been accused of abusing other vulnerable people.

More than 100 children were harmed between 2018 and 2021 at three children's homes in Doncaster, which were rated "good" by Ofsted throughout.

Scores of vulnerable children lived and were educated in the homes - many of whom had disabilities and were non-verbal and living far away from home...

A national panel found the abuse was "systemic and sustained" and BBC investigations revealed the appalling mistreatment suffered by some of the most vulnerable children in the country. We discovered that children were:

• Punched, kicked in the stomach and dragged across the floor

• Repeatedly locked outside overnight in winter

• A Muslim child was fed bacon while black girls had their heads shaved

We also revealed that children faced appalling neglect and emotional abuse - including being fed chilli flakes, made to sit in cold baths and having vinegar poured on cuts.

Ofsted received more than 100 alerts about concerns without intervening before the homes were closed. South Yorkshire Police and the local authority were also repeatedly warned about allegations.

More - 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy293n93zpo