General Secretary Alan Ritchie was thrown out of office earlier this year following a complaint about the number of ballot papers issued during the election he won in 2009.

Union watchdogs at the Certification Office ordered a new election by the end of next month.

But Ucatt officials are calling for a delay in the election race after having an appeal against the Certification Office’s decision rejected.

The election scandal came to light following complaints from Mick Dooley who lost out to Ritchie in the race to be General Secretary.

Dooley said “ Ucatt now want the union to remain leaderless until next year.”

George Guy, Acting General Secretary, of Ucatt, said: “Ucatt is very disappointed with the outcome of the appeal and the length of time it has taken for the Employment Appeals Tribunal to arrive at its decision.

“Ucatt accepts the decision and have applied to the Certification Officer for a revised timetable to hold a new election for General Secretary.”