Arthur Scargill and union clash on rent costs

Former miners’ leader Arthur Scargill gave evidence yesterday in his High Court fight to have the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) continue to meet the costs of his London flat for his lifetime.

The NUM wants Mr Justice Underhill to declare that it has no such continuing obligation to 74-year-old Mr Scargill, its president for 20 years until July 2002.

There are also disputes about his fuel allowance for his home in Barnsley, Yorkshire, the cost of his security system there and the preparation of his annual tax return.

Mr Scargill has occupied the Barbican apartment, rented from the Corporation of London, since June 1982 – and the rent and associated expenses were paid by the union until 2011, except for a period between 1985 and 1991 when he met them.

The NUM’s counsel, Nicholas Davidson QC, has said that the case was not about whether anyone thought that any particular obligation ought to exist – but whether it did exist, based on documents dating back 30 years and the identification of what terms were agreed between duly authorised representatives of the NUM and Mr Scargill.

The hearing continues.