Union admits officials rigged ballots

One of Britain's biggest unions admitted yesterday that three of its senior officials had been involved in ballot rigging amid warnings from left-wingers that others could be implicated.

Leaders of Amicus-AEEU yesterday set up a three-man inquiry team to find out how the officers were able to vote twice in different branches to nominate Sir Ken Jackson, who is fighting to retain his post as general secretary. Sir Ken, one of the Prime Minister's most loyal supporters in the union movement, is hoping to draw a line under the affair but fresh allegations are expected.

The inquiry team will recommend whether the three "flying voters" – Rob Johnston, Geoff Saunders and Stuart Wallis – should be disciplined.

The union also decided to drop legal action against the left-wing Tribune journal, which had published claims the union was corrupt, an accusation for which it apologised.