► Official Complaints

It states in the CUSU election regulations that all official complaints to the Returning Officer be published.

These are the complaints that have been receieved:

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Just thought I'd inform you of something I was sent on facebook last night. I have attatched the image to the email.
I am a member of robs group on facebook and was sent this. He apologised to me yesterday but did not know what he had done wrong as he asked me to find out.
He claims he is sorry for this incident but then he sent this message clearly stating that he has done nothing wrong and this resulted in people coming today to make a scene. I did not complain because of grudges or because of anything personal this is simply because I want a fair election.

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I am writing a formal complaint against Robert Wilson; a candidate for CUSU President. I wish to request the immediate disqualification of Robert Wilson as a candidate in the election. Robert Wilson has broken Election Regulations on several fronts, namely:

25th/26th February 2009:
• Purchasing, or allowing the purchase of two dozen t-shirts used for his election campaign outside of the allocated resources provided by CUSU. Several witnesses, including candidates who are running in the CUSU election, can confirm that this is true. Although the Election Regulations do not state that external resources are forbidden, I believe that this is an inappropriate way for a candidate to conduct their election campaign; a regulation outlined.
• Using the opportunity of obtaining six 'shout outs' for Robert's campaign courtesy of the 'Lava Ignite' DJ. This access is not available to all candidates, including myself, and directly contradicts the rules stating equal and fair campaigning. Shout Outs were also forbidden in the Candidates' Meeting and in discussions leading up to the elections.
• Finally and most serverely, Robert Wilson organised for the largest projector screen in 'Lava Ignite' to be lowered and display his image plus two Lava Ignite dancers, with text instructing CUSU members to vote for Robert Wilson. This is not available to all candidates, is outside of the University campus and is a disgraceful breach of the Election Regulations. Worst of all, this brings the University into serious disrepute, as Robert Wilson was wearing a yellow Coventry University top in the photograph. With the President being a member of the Board of Governors, this is a ridiculous step in an effort to secure popularity and student voters without presenting any manifesto promises alongside.

Robert Wilson was a full and participating member of the above. Witnesses confirm that he stated 'Watch the big screen in five minutes', and was laughing and joking with his supporters before and after the events. It is only when Robert Wilson learned that complaints against his election campaign had been made that he begun a process of 'apologising' to Students' Union memers present at Lava Ignite. He also apologised to me but, although I welcome this step, nothing but the immediate disqualifcation of Robert Wilson will justify the credibility of this election.

• I also wish to complain against the events that took place on the 27th February 2009 in the Students' Union building. Robert Wilson released a statement to some 500+ members of his 'Facebook' campaign group, which I include below this letter. This was passed on to me by another student. In this message he encourages all to attend the Elections Committee meeting which was held at 12.30pm in the Union Board Room. I feel that the message hints that I am the one who made the complaint; and perhaps explains the events that took place. Upon approaching the Students' Union, there were some 50 students, mostly members of the football team and supporters of Robert Wilson's campaign who were taking up almost all of the front entrance to the SU. As a candidate for the same position I felt intimidated by this and almost discouraged from entering the building. In addition, it took a brave action to attempt to attend the Elections Committee meeting, which was then closed to non-members. But most importantly, prior to the meeting taking place, my access to the main upstairs of the building was blocked, and I was called several unpleasant names by individuals who I do not know personally but can predict with some conviction as being supporters of Robert Wilson's campaign. I then spent the time waiting for Elections Committee to open in the SUAC waiting area instead of with my friends near the main area. Because of this, I did not feel welcome to stay on campus and headed home instead of attending the rest of the 'Hustings Training' meeting which was taking place across the hallway. I do not want to take this particular issue further, but want to note it with yourself.


I appreciate the severity of the allegations made against Robert Wilson. However I am one of many who is now calling for the immediate disqualification of Robert Wilson as a CUSU Presidential candidate in the election taking place between the 4-6 March. We would not support a 'slapped wrist / formal warning' of Robert Wilson; CUSU cannot remove what has happened, and cannot erase the memory of some 500 CUSU members who saw the events that took place at Lave Ignite.

I, among others, do not and would not support either:
• Re-Opening the Nominations for the election of President
• Giving Robert Wilson a formal / last warning for his conduct.

Last year, a candidate known as "Tim" was not given the same leniency if either of the two above options were decided to be the appropriate action in 2009. I believe the same rules should apply.

I believe that the conduct shown in the last few days has been an insult to the hard work put in by experienced candidates who have conducted themselves in this election with professionalism; including myself. The rules and regulations of the 2009 elections have been more penalising on candidates with Students' Union experience than ever before, and although I have happily accepted these rules, I am angry and disappointed by the actions taken by Robert Wilson.

There are witnesses available who can confirm the above bullt points as true and accurate. I am extremily disappointed by the conduct of Robert Wilson and wish for CUSU to preserve its integrity. If Robert Wilson is allowed to stand, myself and at least one other candidate in the CUSU Elections feel as if we cannot actively participate in the days of campaigning between 4-6 March, as we cannot endorse the conduct of Robert Wilson.

I wish to state that my complaint in this letter in not to gain an advantage in the election process, nor is it an action against Robert Wilson as an individual in any way. However I strongly believe that the immediate disqualification is the only appropriate action to take.

I appreciate the severity of the allegations and request, however we appreciate your time and consideration of this matter.
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I am writing with a formal complaint against Robert Wilson, candidate for CUSU President. Having witnessed first-hand a blatant disregarding of the Election Regulations on the evening of 25th February 2009 at Lava/Ignite Coventry. There are 4 main breaches that have been endorsed by the named candidate:
• Allowing his campaign team to wear homemade, possibly privately funded, T-shirts around the club.
• Having several shout outs given by the DJ directing people to vote for him in the upcoming elections.
• Endorsing a projection to be shown of him with the two Lava dancers with writing again directing students to vote for him in the elections.
• Misrepresenting the union by bribing students to vote for him (DJ stating that Rob will try to get the band Five to play at our SU).

We presented you with the photographs this morning so I know you have a hard copy of these.

I understand that this is a very serious issue, however I believe that it is shown beyond reasonable doubt that Rob has shown a blatant disregard for the Election Regulations. Having sat in the candidates meeting along with him and the other candidates, the Election Regulations were clearly stated and these have been clearly ignored or warped to suit him.

I feel that there is only one course of action that should be taken in light of these circumstances, and would be very disappointed if he was allowed to continue to run for this position.
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I am writing to you to inform you of an incident that in Lava/Ignite club on Wednesday evening. A candidate running in the presidential elections, Robert Wilson, took an unfair advantage in the club and display a picture of himself with 2 of the clubs dancers on a huge projector screen. He also had a group of people, possible a dozen, wearing home made t-shirts with vote Rob for president written on them. Further to this he had several shout outs from the DJ telling the students to vote for Rob. I was quite frankly shocked to see and hear this and its clearly a massive breach of election rules. I managed to get some pictures of the situation, these have been attached to this email to ensure the validity of these allegations. I understand I am accusing Rob of serious charges however I think he has completely unbalanced the elections with over 600 people being present, and he knew full well he was breaking rules, but still laughed and joked about it. I know the decision of what happens lies with you here, however I would not be happy if Rob was allow to continue participating in the election.

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