Imagine this: A prominent union leader, a figurehead for workers' rights, travels to a war-torn region, not to offer aid, but to join a pro-Putin rally. This is the story of Eddie Dempsey, the general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).
In May 2015, Dempsey journeyed to the Donbas region of occupied Ukraine, claiming his trip was part of a 'humanitarian convoy'. But what unfolded there paints a very different picture. Video and photographic evidence captured Dempsey enthusiastically participating in a pro-Putin rally. He was seen waving communist flags, standing before a statue of Vladimir Lenin, and chanting Russian-language slogans such as "United we are invincible." and "The Donbas, the tomb of fascism".
At the time of this controversial visit, Dempsey was a railway mainline driver and a member of the RMT's Paddington No 1 branch. He attended an event billed as the Anti-Fascist Forum in Alchevsk, organized by the Luhansk Communist Party on behalf of the Prizrak Brigade, a separatist militia. This is where things get interesting... He was invited by Aleksey Mozgovoy, the Prizrak Brigade's founder, who was killed just two weeks after the event.
During his time in Ukraine, Dempsey wore clothing displaying the coat of arms of Novorossiya, a historical Russian province encompassing southern and eastern Ukraine. Pro-Putin militants adopted this name, aiming to revive the region as part of a resurgence of Russian imperialism, according to reports.
Dempsey's trip was part of an expedition of around 100 communists, organized by Banda Bassotti, a far-Left punk group from Rome. Ukrainian authorities later sought the extradition of the Italian, Spanish, and Greek participants due to anti-terrorism laws. In one photograph, Dempsey is seen among a group holding a red banner with the words "Communist Party" in yellow lettering beneath the hammer and sickle emblem.
Other videos from the trip showed Dempsey wearing a Russian nationalist T-shirt, further fueling the controversy. Additional images displayed flags from extreme-Left organizations, including Italy's Communist Refoundation Party, Germany's Anti-Imperialistische Aktion, and the Soviet Victory Banner.
Following his visit, Dempsey wrote about his experience for the Morning Star newspaper, including a now-deleted obituary praising Mozgovoy's goal of establishing a Communist state under Russian control. But here's where it gets controversial... The RMT, under Dempsey's leadership, has been known for launching strikes that have caused significant disruption to British rail services and the London Underground.
The RMT has also faced criticism after its 2025 annual conference passed a motion calling for the government to end financial support for Ukraine.
A union spokesman defended Dempsey, stating that his trip was motivated by the appalling House of Trade Unions fire in 2014, and that he has never supported Russia's invasion of Ukraine, repeatedly advocating for a peaceful resolution.
What do you make of this? Does Dempsey's past actions align with his current stance? Do you think his actions were justified, or do you believe they were a betrayal of his position? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
