The discovery of a database has led to accusations that UK security forces made data on Irish workers available so that construction companies would know not to recruit them.
In a report by The Observer The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) allege that the Consulting Association, who holds the details of 3,200 workers, could only have got their information from the police or MI5.
Speaking to the Newspaper, David Clancy, Investigations Manager at the ICO, said:
-- Advertisement --
"The information was so specific and it contained in effect operational information that wouldn't have formed anything other than a police record."
Said to be funded by major players in the construction sector, the Consulting Association was set up to monitor Irish construction workers when the IRA was at its peak.
Labour MP John McDonnell, who first raised the issue of blacklisting a decade ago, said he would demand a debate in parliament as he spoke on the devastating effect this collusion has had on so many involved in the Irish construction sector.
He said:"I am outraged at the systematic abuse of people's rights. This has destroyed people's lives, broken up families, ensured that people have not been able to earn a living…No one has been willing to believe the extent to which there has been collusion between police, security services and companies. It is all about the ability of companies to exploit workers and destroy anybody who stands up against them."
(HMc)
