02.12.09
Updated 26.01.10. Further
updates
EXCLUSIVE by Mark Watts
Four “overseers” are to monitor the formation of the London photographers’
branch of the national union of journalists following accusations of a far-left
attempted hijack.
But I can reveal that three of the four are them-selves “NUJ
Left”, the political faction inspired by the socialist workers party
(SWP) that is at the
centre of the accusations.
Jeremy
Dear, NUJ general secretary, has decided to bring in the four in response
to photographer David Hoffman’s publication of comments exposing what
he sees as the attempted takeover
of the new branch
by “NUJ Left”.
Dear’s decision on the four “overseers” is bound
to undermine any attempt to reassure photographers, first, that the branch
will genuinely represent their interests rather than those of “NUJ Left”,
and second, that it will be governed – and its officials elected –
democratically.
Hoffman, who had been one of four key figures setting up the branch,
said last month in a posting on a forum for NUJ photographers that he had
become “a useful patsy to disguise the real underlying aim of building
a power base for NUJ Left.”
“The branch will in reality be directed by the de-mands of an
entirely separate unelected group with its own very different aims and plans.”
He named the three other figures behind the branch as following an agenda
set by “NUJ Left”.
Members of “NUJ Left” were planning to hold a private meeting
to decide on the branch officials in advance of the LPB’s inaugural
meeting.
One of the three, Jonathan Warren, denied the accusations on behalf
of the trio.
Hoffman’s comments chimed with my revelations
about “NUJ Left” made during the election for the editor of
the union’s Journalist magazine.
I have learnt from well-placed sources that Dear has won agreement
from the union’s national executive council (NEC) for a plan to replace
the four who were going to oversee the election of the officials of the branch,
whose first meeting is scheduled for January 26.
I understand that Dear’s plan is for the role to go to the NEC’s
four London representatives, Tom Davies, Phil Sutcliffe, Pierre Vicary and
Barry White.
However, Davies, Vicary and White themselves stood for NEC elections
last September as “NUJ Left” candidates, as I previously disclosed.
Hoffman is understood to be baffled by Dear’s decision and has
asked him to reconsider the plan on the grounds that it would “add to
mistrust”.
I understand that Dear is considering a request from Hoffman to appoint
non-aligned NEC members to oversee the branch’s formation.
The sources say that one idea being considered is for other non-aligned
senior NUJ figures, such as John Toner, the freelance organiser, and Dave
Rotchelle, chairman of the London freelance branch, to observe the establishment
of the branch and the election of its officials.
Update 26.01.10: The
branch held its first meeting tonight, and, as predicted, “NUJ Left”
members dominate its committee. Hoffman declined to accept a nomination to
stand for a committee post. Meanwhile, it emerged that LPB has attracted only
57 members so far – far fewer than originally envisaged at this stage.
Mark
Watts – freelance journalist, broadcaster and FOIA Centre co-ordinator
– stood in the election for editor of the Journalist, polling third.
He is not a member of any political party or group.
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