NI constituency wrangle goes to mediation
A court battle between the Labour Party and one of its members in Northern Ireland was today put back for a month to facilitate mediation talks between the two sides.
Belfast-based trade unionist Andy McGivern’s case against Labour over its refusal to allow members in Northern Ireland to set up constituency parties was scheduled for next month in the County Court in London.
However in a bid to resolve the case before it ends up in court, both sides have agreed to mediation talks next month, which could put a hearing back until December.
Two years ago Labour overturned a 79-year ban on people in Northern Ireland joining the party after Mr McGivern initiated race discrimination proceedings against them.
The GMB member embarked on a fresh race discrimination case after Labour’s national executive dismissed two applications which would have allowed more than 100 members in the North to form constituency parties.
“Both sides will try to resolve this matter through mediation talks which will take place in November,” a source close to the case said.
“At this stage it is not clear how it will turn out.”
During last month’s Labour Party conference in Brighton, Mr McGivern lobbied British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain on the issue.
The trade unionist has argued that the failure to allow Northern Ireland members to form constituency associations was denying them the right to fully participate in Labour because they could not nominate delegates to policy forums or party conference.
Members in England, Wales and Scotland can form constituency parties.
Mr McGivern’s case has been backed by a number of Labour MPs, including Northern Ireland-born Kate Hoey and Andrew MacKinlay.
It is also supported by his union, the GMB.
