Stop London Met witch hunt!

Submitted by Matthew on 20 February, 2013 - 9:05

Management at London Metropolitan University have suspended Jawad Botmeh and Max Watson, staff governor and Unison branch chair respectively, from their jobs.

The suspension follows management threats, on 22 January, to derecognise the Unison branch entirely. Unison represents non-academic staff at the university.

Uni bosses say the pair have been suspended for “a serious matter of concern”, which relates to “gross misconduct”. Union officers believe it may concern Jawad’s appointment (in 2008), and his 1996 conviction for “conspiracy to cause explosions” in relation to a plan to bomb the Israeli embassy, for which he served 13 years in jail. A Unison statement said: “We are completely convinced that Jawad’s 1996 conviction for conspiracy to cause explosions was an appalling miscarriage of justice. Amnesty International, Unison’s National Delegate Conference and the MPs who signed an early-day motion all share this view.

“Local MP Jeremy Corbyn also takes this position on Jawad’s innocence and fully supports Max and Jawad.

“Regardless, Jawad declared his conviction on application to work at London Met, and legally has a right to be employed at the University. Indeed, London Met HR were made aware of Jawad’s conviction some time ago.

“We are proud to have Jawad as a member of our Branch and also of the ongoing support Unison has shown him over the years, shown by the motion passed at the 2003 Unison National Delegate Conference which clearly advocates that Jawad’s conviction was unjust.”

The branch said it saw the suspensions as “the latest in a series of escalating attacks on [workers’] democratic right to representation by [their] union, in an attempt to weaken the defence of [their] rights Unison is fighting for.”

Workers and supporters demonstrated at London Met on 13 and 18 February, and are planning an ongoing campaign.

For more information, see here.

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