@ Litebulbs
The above article from 1997 contains the following :
Mr Coleman picks up nearly pounds 50,000 a year just in commission on his members' pounds 120 annual union subscription.
Mr Coleman also gets a 7 per cent cut from union subscriptions and pounds 75 a day he receives from branch
You have mused a few times that you feel any commission payments(unverified for current situation ) would be unacceptable.
In light of the above quote and general knowlege that big things like this don't change without a huge public fuss, would you not think that it now seems more likely that there is a big rake-off going to the lay-official(s) ?