'Dirty tricks' dog campaign for T&G vote

Allegations of "dirty tricks" have marred the upcoming election to replace Bill Morris as general secretary of the Transport & General Workers Union, in an increasingly acrimonious campaign.

The battle between the two left-wing candidates, Tony Woodley and Barry Camfield, has become particularly bitter. "There is no doubt that I have been subject to an extremely serious, well-thought- out and well-orchestrated dirty tricks campaign," said Mr Woodley, a favourite to win the election. "I'm not prepared to allow anything to get in the way of my policies of fundamental change in the way the T&G is run."

Several trade union officials told The Independent on Sunday that some members had felt pressured to support either Mr Woodley or Mr Camfield, but both candidates strongly denied such tactics.

Mr Woodley said the "dirty tricks" came from one candidate, but declined to point the finger. However, his supporters confirmed they consider the problem came from Mr Camfield's team.

They are furious about literature supposed to have come from an aide of Mr Woodley, saying he would sack half the union if he was elected. Mr Woodley has also denied claims that Derek Hatton, the former militant, has given him aid. He has filed a complaint over a leaflet supposedly written by himself, which broke election regulations. It is alleged it was written by one of Mr Camfield's supporters to cause trouble.

Mr Camfield, though, said he had asked for details so he could investigate this allegation. But none had been forthcoming.

He strongly denied using any untoward measures in his campaign. The other cand-idates, the moderately left Jack Dromey, another favour- ite to win, and Jim Elsby, have not attracted the ire of other candidates. However, Mr Elsby has filed several complaints to the general secretary's office, requesting an investigation into the way nominations have been made. There have been cases of nom- ination forms with alleged irregularities, said a source.

In his campaign literature, Mr Elsby has called for an independent electoral commission to monitor T&G elections. "You will be surprised to learn that some candidates in this election have unlimited access to lists of members' names and addresses, while other candidates are denied these," he says.

Ballots will be sent to the homes of trade union members this month.