A UNION has reiterated its decision to sack a club president, although said it is unable to explain why.

As previously reported in The Northern Echo, the Club and Institute Union (CIU) that represents Working Men’s Clubs across the country has removed Mick McGlasham from his role as President of the Durham branch of the union.

But members of the Durham branch have refused to accept that decision and still consider Mr McGlasham, from Peterlee, their president.

When asked why the CIU wanted to sack Mr McGlasham, a union spokesman said the reasons for the decision are subject to a confidentiality agreement.

He said however that the National Executive of the CIU has the power to remove branch members on the grounds of “dishonesty, gross incompetence, neglect of duty, refusal to carry out the instructions of the Executive or by reason of having been guilty of conduct which in the opinion of the Executive may discredit the union”.

Stan Summers, spokesman for the Durham branch, said Mr McGlasham will remain president until a proper reason for his removal is given.

He said: “As far as we are concerned we believe Mr McGlasham has done nothing wrong and he is still our president.

“We want to get to the bottom of why the union wants rid of Mr McGlasham, I cannot understand why they won’t tell us.”