Unite has launched fresh legal action against the 'controlling minds' behind the construction industry's blacklisting scandal.

The union has issued high court proceedings for unlawful conspiracy against four individuals who acted as chairman of the Consulting Association. The case is against David Cochrane, Cullum McAlpine, Danny O’Sullivan and Stephen Quant.

Formed in 1993, the Consulting Association operated until 2009 when it was closed down following a raid by the Information Commissioners Office. Up to 3,213 workers were found to have been blacklisted by the organisation.

Unite has already taken High Court action against the companies involved, with initial action being completed in 2016 and hundreds of workers receiving millions of pounds in compensation.

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However, this latest action against Mr Cochrane, Mr McAlpine, Mr O'Sullivan and Mr Quant is part of a wider case being brought by the Union on behalf of more than 70 employees who were blacklisted by the Consulting Association. These cases are for breach of privacy, defamation and for Data Protection Act offences.

Mr McAlpine and Mr Cochrane were the first and last chairmen of the Consulting Association, with both men employed by Sir Robert McAlpine. Mr O’Sullivan was employed by Kier and Mr Quant was an employee of Skanska UK.

And as part of the legal action, proceedings have also been issued against; Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, Skanska UK Plc, Laing Limited, John Laing Construction Ltd, Kier Ltd, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick Ltd, Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd, Crown House Technologies Ltd, Costain Building & Civil Engineering Ltd, Costain Ltd, Costain Oil Gas & Process Ltd and Carillion Construction Ltd.

Unite assistant general secretary for legal affairs, Howard Beckett, said: "Unite is determined to ensure that the people directly responsible for blacklisting workers and ruining their lives are brought to justice and have to answer for their actions.

"Since 2009 the individuals who were the controlling minds behind the systematic blacklisting of workers have sought to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. The workers who had their lives ruined deserve to see the leading blacklisters in court."

(LM)