Scotland’s news cycle on September 1, 2025, was dominated by a series of high-profile stories, but none more gripping than the suspension of Derek Thomson, secretary of Unite Scotland, the nation’s largest trade union. The allegations against Thomson, which center on historic sexual misconduct claims, have sent shockwaves through the ranks of Scottish labor and reignited scrutiny of the union’s recent past, already marred by infighting and financial scandal.
According to BBC and Sunday Mail reports, Derek Thomson was suspended following complaints of inappropriate behavior toward a woman. These allegations are understood to be of a historic nature, resurfacing after several years. Unite Scotland, headquartered on West Regent Street in Glasgow, is Scotland’s biggest trade union, boasting a membership of around 150,000. It represents workers across critical sectors such as energy, transport, manufacturing, health, and social care.
Thomson, who has been Unite's Scottish secretary since 2023, is now at the center of a thorough internal investigation. A union source explained to Sunday Mail, “Clearly when you have allegations like this the union has no option but to suspend the employee involved and that is what has happened. There will be a full and proper investigation as is the right thing to do in the circumstances.” The source emphasized that, “This has to do with issues that have been raised a number of years ago but have now resurfaced. As ever the general secretary Sharon Graham will be handling this fairly and by the book. It should be noted that Derek is innocent until proven otherwise.”
Until now, Thomson has enjoyed a strong reputation within the union. The same source described him as “an outstanding leader of the union in Scotland and there are many members who will attest to the work he has done supporting people and fighting for better pay and conditions.” However, these allegations have forced the union to act decisively, placing him on suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.
The suspension comes at a turbulent time for Unite. The union has been rocked by internal strife, with a bitter split emerging between supporters of current general secretary Sharon Graham and those loyal to her predecessor, Len McCluskey. This conflict has, according to a second union source cited by Sunday Mail, “manifested itself in various allegations of bullying and harassment.” The source was careful to clarify, though, that “this is not to say this has anything to do with that and all allegations against anyone, no matter how senior, need to be treated with the same level of seriousness.”
Thomson is considered a close ally of Graham, the union’s current general secretary. The two have worked closely on high-stakes labor issues, including efforts to save jobs at the Grangemouth refinery. Graham herself succeeded McCluskey in 2021, inheriting not only a powerful union but also a host of unresolved controversies.
One of the most significant of these controversies is the ongoing external investigation into the union’s financial dealings. When Graham took the helm, she ordered a sweeping review of Unite’s past transactions, leading to a major fraud investigation into the £112 million construction of a hotel in Birmingham. The project, begun during McCluskey’s tenure, has since been valued at just £29 million, suggesting that as much as £83 million may have been lost or wasted. This eye-watering figure has prompted widespread concern among union members and the wider public alike.
According to Sunday Mail, Graham commissioned forensic accountants at Grant Thornton and barrister Martin Bowdery KC to probe the union’s affairs. The investigation into the Birmingham hotel is just one part of a broader effort to clean house. A third report by another unnamed KC, also commissioned by Graham, highlighted further issues of “potential corruption,” according to union statements. All of these reports have been passed to the police for further action.
The financial turmoil doesn’t end there. Separately, a criminal probe was launched into the activities of Unite’s affiliated services wing—a branch of the union that offers members discounts on products such as mortgages and legal advice. This investigation led to a dramatic police raid of Unite’s London headquarters in April 2022. No charges have been brought so far in either the hotel or affiliated services investigations, but the shadow of suspicion continues to hang over the union.
These challenges have unfolded against a backdrop of political significance. Unite remains one of the Labour Party’s largest donors, and its internal crises have the potential to ripple through the broader political landscape in the United Kingdom. The union’s influence over Labour politics is considerable, and any instability within its ranks is watched closely by party leaders, members, and political opponents alike.
For many, the allegations against Thomson are especially jarring given his previous reputation. As one union insider put it, “There are many members who will attest to the work he has done supporting people and fighting for better pay and conditions.” Yet, as is so often the case in public life, reputations can be upended in an instant by the emergence of serious allegations. The process now underway will determine whether Thomson can return to his post or whether the union will need to find new leadership in Scotland.
The broader context within which these events are unfolding cannot be ignored. The labor movement in Scotland—and the UK more widely—has faced headwinds in recent years, from declining membership to political challenges and economic uncertainty. Unite Scotland’s ability to weather this storm will depend not just on the outcome of the investigation into Thomson, but also on how it handles the ongoing fallout from past financial decisions and internal divisions.
As the investigation proceeds, the union’s leadership has pledged to follow due process. “As ever the general secretary Sharon Graham will be handling this fairly and by the book,” a source said. This commitment to fairness and transparency will be crucial if Unite is to maintain the trust of its members and the public.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s newspapers, from The Scotsman to The Herald and Daily Record, continue to cover not only the Unite scandal but also other major stories of the day, including a significant Clyde warship deal and allegations involving Camilla. But it is the Unite story that has seized the attention of the labor movement and political observers alike, serving as a stark reminder of the challenges facing unions in the modern era.
As September begins, all eyes are on Unite Scotland as it navigates this turbulent chapter. The coming weeks will reveal whether the union can restore order and credibility—or whether deeper changes are in store for one of the country’s most influential organizations.
