A group of 60 MPs have signed a Parliamentary motion calling for construction giant McAlpine to be stripped of the contract to restore Big Ben because of the company’s historic involvement in blacklisting.
Labour MP Chuka Umunna, who tabled the motion, said the clock tower was a national symbol of the UK’s democracy, stating: “Awarding the contract for work on Big Ben to Sir Robert McAlpine is an insult to the victims of blacklisting in the construction sector.
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“Awarding the contract for this symbolic work to a company that was at the heart of blacklisting construction workers both undermines our democracy and leaves us looking out of touch as an institution.
“We are calling on the House of Commons and Lords Commissions to rethink their decision, and award the contract for this symbolic work to another construction company that does not have a history of involvement in blacklisting.”
Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett, said: “Unite is currently suing Sir Robert McAlpine on behalf of victims of blacklisting having forced them and other construction firms to apologise and pay compensation after our lawsuit exposed their role in blacklisting last year.
“We urge other MPs to back this call for the House of Commons and Lords Commissions to strip Sir Robert McAlpine of the contract. It is simply reprehensible that a firm that was engaged in the pernicious practice of blacklisting should be allowed to fill its coffers at the taxpayers’ expense.”
In a statement from Sir Robert McAlpine, the company said: “There is no blacklisting at Sir Robert McAlpine. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards blacklisting.
“Blacklisting in construction was, until 2009, an industry-wide issue – most of the largest British construction companies in operation today were involved in the past when there was no legislation in place to outlaw the practice. Sir Robert McAlpine has admitted and apologised for its past involvement and has paid compensation to affected workers.”
“We are committed to the successful completion of the vital remedial work to the Elizabeth Tower. As part of the tender process for the project, Parliament’s procurement team undertook a thorough review of our operational procedures before the contract was awarded. Our HR and recruitment processes met Parliament’s high standards and it found absolutely no evidence that blacklisting is being supported or encouraged. For Sir Robert McAlpine, the issue of blacklisting is firmly in the past.”
