McAlpine deny blacklist claim

Sir Robert McAlpine is denying claims that it used a blacklist to refuse a former bricklayer work.

Mick Dooley - who recently contested the Ucatt general secretary election - has launced a claim against McAlpine in the wake of the blacklisting scandal which engulfed the industry earlier this year.

Dooley claims McAlpine denied him work on its sites during the 1990s because details of his union activities were held on a database run by the Consulting Association.

A letter from the firm to Dooley states: "Sir Robert McAlpine does not deny that it had dealings with the Consulting Association.

"However the company denies that it was provided with or operated any 'blacklist'. Specifically we have not provided to or received from any party any information about yourself."

Dooley has lodged a claim against the firm with the South London Emplyment tribunal.

He said: "I am perplexed by McAlpine's respone. I am at a loss as to why McAlpine would have an involvement with the Consulting Association if they are a company who work in a spirit of openness and trust."