Union bosses suspended over fist fight

The general secretary and president of the train drivers' union Aslef have both been suspended following a fight at a barbecue, the union's executive said today.

What began as a quiet evening in gardens near Aslef 's Hampstead headquarters descended into chaos as union president Martin Samways argued with a female guest, who ended up sprawled on the floor.

General secretary Shaun Brady stepped in to help but the two men came to blows.

Most of the senior figures from the train drivers' union were at the party, including assistant general secretary Mick Blackburn, as well as half a dozen office staff.

Sources say Mr Samways arrived at the event, organised by Mr Brady without an invitation. The two men have been involved in a long-running feud.

The sources said Mr Samways turned up at about 10pm last Thursday and became involved in a furious argument with Julie Atkinson.

When she was knocked to the floor Mr Brady, 41, intervened and there followed a "heated altercation".

Witnesses said punches were thrown and Mr Samways, 57, also ended up on the ground. He was then ordered to leave the party.

A rapidly convened meeting of the union's controlling executive is today expected to decide whether to suspend both men pending a full investigation.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Standard, Mr Samways admitted his role. He said from his Doncaster home: "We had a verbal word."

Challenged directly to say if there was more to it than that, he confirmed: "There was a fight."

Asked who was involved, Mr Samways would only say: "I had better not say any more until after the EC meets. After that I may make a statement."

Mr Brady refused to discuss the incident. His spokeswoman said: "An incident has been reported to the union which is being dealt with under the union's disciplinary procedures." For her part Ms Atkinson has reported the matter to her own union, the GMB.

Mr Brady, who was elected general secretary last year, emerged from the union's north London headquarters today saying he was angry at the suspension.

The incident is the latest to involve the small but extremely powerful union, one of the few remaining with any real industrial muscle.

The 17,000-strong body has been in danger of tearing itself apart because of a bitter battle between its Left and Right-wing factions.

It burst into the open when Mr Brady, an admitted Right-winger, won a surprise victory over Leftwinger Mick Rix last October.

The build-up to the election was long and hard fought. During the campaign there were allegations of "dirty tricks" by those opposed to Mr Brady concerning nineyearold unproven claims of sexist and racist behaviour - all of which Mr Brady strenuously denies. His spokesman said at the time he had been a victim of "character assassination".

The Brady camp let it be known that Mr Rix was said to be ignoring the day-to-day issues of the union and concentrating instead on high-profile matters outside his remit such as helping to lead the opposition against Labour over the war in Iraq.

Mr Brady was furious over the allegations of sexist and racist behaviour. Upon winning he announced his intention to restructure the union.

Since then the feud between past and present leaders has escalated, with the controlling executive committee, of which Mr Samways is a member, hiring Matthias Kelly, QC, to conduct an in-depth investigation amid continuing allegations of misuse of funds.

Mr Kelly's inquiries will stretch back over 10 years and include the reign of two former leaders as well as that of Mr Brady.

There are claims of cut telephone lines, computers wiped clean of information, an alleged stolen report and of a general lack of financial control.