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Call for full inquiry into Crossrail blacklisting

The Government has been urged to launch a full investigation into claims workers were blacklisted on London's Crossrail project.

The chairman of the Scottish Affairs Committee, Ian Davidson, has written to business secretary Vince Cable, calling for a "full and thorough' investigation.

The Committee has been compiling information from unions. It said it now has "compelling evidence" that blacklisting was used in the multi-billion-pound project.

Writing to Cable, Davidson said the Committee was "unanimous" in believing that this evidence should be passed to the Government.

"The committee has now received written evidence and held a formal committee hearing on 3 July, with Gail Cartmail of Unite, who has given us what we believe to be clear proof that blacklisting for trade union and health and safety activities has been going on within the contract for the Crossrail project run by BFK," Davidson wrote.

"We intend to continue our wider investigations into blacklisting and will be calling further witnesses but believe that the Government should now investigate, as promised, the clear and unequivocal evidence that has been received about blacklisting on the Crossrail project."

Unite backs move

Unite, Britain's biggest union, welcomed the move. Its general secretary Gail Cartmail said: "The Scottish Affairs committee is doing fantastic work to uncover injustices being perpetrated against workers who only wanted to support their fellow colleagues at work or who raised health and safety concerns in one of Britain's most dangerous industries.

"We believe that there is compelling evidence that blacklisting is taking place here and now in UK PLC.

"An investigation by the Government would be a significant milestone for the victims' campaign for justice - we urge Vince Cable to act without delay and respond with a Leveson style inquiry."

Crossrail have denied the claims, stating it is yet to receive any evidence of blacklisting.

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has referred the matter to the ICO.