A BITTER row has broken out within a rail union over moves to withdraw constituency funding from York MP Hugh Bayley in protest at his "failure" to support strike action.

Bob Crow, assistant general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), has confirmed that Mr Bayley is one of six MPs "being investigated" because, it is claimed, he has not done more to promote the union's interest in recent industrial disputes.

Mr Crow said he was angry the MPs, also including Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and leader of the Commons, Robin Cook, had not been seen "rolling their sleeves up and fighting for us".

The union claims it pays a fee to the six MPs' constituencies and Mr Bayley has confirmed his constituency party benefits from RMT cash.

Mr Crow is seeking election as the RMT's general secretary. If he gets the vote, his hard-line views could signal the end of constituency support for Labour.

But the RMT today distanced itself from Mr Crow's comments. A spokesman said they were his "personal views".

He said: "We are currently reviewing our political donations - but to say we are doing it in relation to the current industrial dispute is not true."

That has angered Mr Crow who claims, in his current position as assistant general secretary, that he speaks for the RMT.

"At our annual general meeting, last year, we decided that unless Labour changed its policies, we would consider withdrawing financial support.

"This is not my personal view. In my capacity as assistant general secretary I speak for the union and am standing by union principles."

Today Mr Bayley said: "I have to say firmly and clearly that my influence as a Member of Parliament is not for sale. Not to a trade union or a business or to anyone else."

Updated: 14:24 Thursday, January 31, 2002