Hard-left Unite boss Len McCluskey launches bid to cling onto power at Britain’s biggest trade union to strengthen Jeremy Corbyn’s grip on Labour

RED Len McCluskey is launching a bid to cling onto power at Britain’s biggest trade union for another five years – in a move to strengthen the hard-left’s grip on Labour.

The Unite boss – a key Jeremy Corbyn ally - is secretly plotting to bring forward the election for the top job so he can win the backing of key allies on the executive for a further term in charge.

Sources claim by winning a five-year term he can secure his goal of remaining in charge until at the least the 2020 General Election- when he will be 70.

It’s understood the Unite chief wants the general secretary election to take place at the same time as elections to the union’s ruling executive council next year.

But a trade union veteran said if Mr McCluskey lost to a moderate candidate it would remove a main pillar of support for Jeremy Corbyn.

The source said: “A change of leadership at the top of Unite would leave him very vulnerable in the event of another coup.”

Current rules dictate elections can only take place before the end of the general secretary’s five-year term if he or she retires, resigns or dies.

But if three quarters of the union’s executive committee agree, it’s understood he could overturn the rule.

Mr McCluskey refused to deny the plot ahead of a meeting with Labour MPs this week.

A Unite spokesman said: “Such matters and their timing are decided upon by Unite’s executive council.”