Curran: Quit

One of Britain's biggest unions has begun the search for a new general secretary.

GMB boss Kevin Curran lost his power struggle with the union's regional barons and resigned on Thursday.

The leader was suspended last month over claims - denied - that he interfered in a ballot-rigging inquiry.

However, after striking a confidential deal, the union said Curran was leaving "in the best interest of members with his reputation and integrity intact".

Curran is understood to have fallen foul of the GMB's influential regional officers, one of whom, Paul Kenny, has now been put in temporary charge despite being roundly beaten in the 2003 election.

The barons were unhappy with Curran's apparent desire to move towards merger with the Amicus and TGWU unions and cuts he imposed in a bid to tackle the GMB's financial crisis.

He was suspended after writing to the lawyer carrying out the inquiry, but insisted he was carrying out union instructions to check John Hands QC had sufficient resources.

The statement said: "The GMB and Kevin Curran have today reached an amicable agreement designed to resolve recent disagreements between both parties. Both parties reached this agreement in good faith and in the best interests of the GMB and its members.

"The union recognises Mr Curran's contribution to the GMB and the wider trade union movement. He leaves the GMB with his reputation and integrity intact and the GMB wish him well in whatever path he chooses to follow in future employment.

"Each party has agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential. Neither party will be making any further statement."

Kenny will now be considered one of the frontrunners for the job although the union's 600,000-strong membership may want to make a clean break from the row.

The ballot, previously overseen by the Electoral Reform Society, is set to be doubly scrutinised while the the union will want to have a new leader in place ahead of the crucial autumn conference season.