Union officials are accusing Unite leader Derek Simpson of using the foreign labour disputes to win votes for his re-election

Simpson, who is battling against three others in the election, which finishes today, faced heckles and catcalls during a demonstration at Staythorpe power station in Nottingham last Tuesday.

鈥淗e鈥檚 using construction workers to give himself a better profile,鈥� said one member. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 come down to speak at any of the sites before. It鈥檚 just election tactics. It will be interesting to see how involved he gets in these disputes after the election. I don鈥檛 think he鈥檒l have many construction workers supporting him.鈥�

The allegations came amid claims in the press this week that Simpson had spent union money to stay at the 拢399 a night Waldorf Hilton hotel, which is 35 minutes from his home.

Jerry Hicks, who is running against Simpson in the election, said workers were 鈥渄isgruntled and disillusioned鈥� with the union鈥檚 leader, and said he was 鈥渦nsurprised鈥� by the hotel claims.

A Unite spokesperson admitted Simpson had received a 鈥渇ew heckles鈥� last week, but said he had simply raised his voice and finished his speech as planned.

The result of the election should be known on Monday.