Video: Victorious Scargill takes swipe at NUM leadership

Former NUM president Mr Scargill, 74, lambasted the leadership of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) outside Sheffield County Court.

He became a £26,000 a year paid consultant to funds providing benefits for serving and retired miners after he retired as president of the NUM in July 2002.

As well as pocketing his NUM pension and a new salary from the Yorkshire and Lancashire Area Trust Funds he received £14,064 for a new car in 2005 and help with telephone bills.

It was claimed by two trustees at Sheffield County Court that Mr Scargill did “very little work” in his new job and they knew nothing about his contract until 2009, but Judge Robert Moore yesterday rejected those claims.

Judge Moore said Mr Scargill had been given a “legal and enforceable” contract and he was entitled to the normal benefits afforded an NUM member. The judge awarded him £12,000 damages, plus interest for the loss of his car allowance, and £1,000 for a temporary loss of union membership.

Mr Scargill lost a £3,114 claim for telephone allowances which the judge decided were never part of the contract.

The ex-NUM boss was also awarded £10,000 costs.

Outside court Mr Scargill said: “It is a sad day that the leadership of the Yorkshire area NUM have taken what can only be described as a vindictive act against me after 58 years of membership of the union. The judgment has shown clearly who was telling the truth.”

Mr Scargill, from Worsbrough, Barnsley, sued the Yorkshire Area Trust Fund for up to £50,000 damages and reimbursement for telephone bills and a new car.

The fund stopped paying Mr Scargill’s bills in April 2010 and his full financial membership of the union was later withdrawn after he fell out with current NUM general secretary Chris Kitchen.

Judge Moore said: “I’m satisfied there was a proper legal basis for him to be employed by the two trust funds.”

In a separate action, Mr Scargill seeks reinstatement of further perks against the national NUM, including security bills, accountancy fees and cash in lieu of a fuel allowance.