WOMEN working at transport union TSSA were subjected to sexual assaults, humiliation, violent and disrespectful language over many years, a damning inquiry has found.

Lady Helena Kennedy KC’s probe into sexual harassment within the union said that the senior leadership had “enabled sexist behaviours through wilful blindness, power hoarding and poor practices.”

The Labour peer’s independent inquiry was launched in September 2022 after ex-general secretary Manuel Cortes was accused of harassing and attempting to kiss several female employees. 

Mr Cortes, who denies any wrongdoing and has apologised for any hurt caused by his behaviour, retired with an undisclosed pay-off in October while still under investigation.

In her report, published on Wednesday, Lady Kennedy wrote: “It gave me no pleasure to uncover a series of appalling incidents, alongside leadership and management failings in TSSA.

“These included inappropriate and sexual touching, sexual assault, coercive and manipulative behaviour, violent and disrespectful language, humiliation and denigration of staff, reps and executive committee members. 

“Some of this behaviour was actually witnessed — or heard — directly by me.”

The former principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, also found evidence of failings in due process, natural justice and governance, saying: “My impression is of a concentration of absolute power in a very small number of hands, with little or no scrutiny.”

Additionally, she called for auditors to be brought in to examine the union’s finances, questioning why it has not revealed how much was paid to Mr Cortes upon his retirement.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the report “reveals a shameful and unacceptable culture of bullying and sexual harassment, which have no place in the union movement or any workplace.

“This report must lead to genuine culture change — the union movement must be a place where women feel safe and supported.”

MeTU Women, made up of survivors of sexual violence, misogyny and harassment in unions, said that the damning verdict “provides validation for all the times we were told we were liars, too sensitive or were bringing the union into disrepute.”

In a statement, TSSA, which is in merger talks with the GMB union, said that it would act on the report’s recommendations and is “committed to achieving the change that is required to secure the confidence of members, staff and women.

“With immediate effect, the president and treasurer have stood down and an interim president and interim treasurer have been appointed,” it said.