By Julian Whittle

Last updated 14:01, Thursday, 17 July 2008

Carlisle Housing Association is to write to all its 6,140 tenants to reassure them that their homes are safe.

Probe: Willie Whalen outside Carlisle Housing

The move follows allegations from the trade union Ucatt that the housing association has flouted rules on handling deadly asbestos.

Ucatt official William Whalen produced a lump of asbestos at a Carlisle City Council meeting on Tuesday.

He said it had been taken from one of the housing association’s homes and “swept up with a shovel”.

His claim prompted the council to order an investigation by environmental health officers.

But Susan Kellock, Carlisle Housing’s deputy managing director, said it was launching its own investigation into how the asbestos was handled.

She added: “We are investigating its origin and the way in which it was removed as we have strict procedures to protect tenants and employees.

“We would like to reassure our customers, members of staff and their families that we take our health and safety responsibilities seriously.

“Members of the workforce have been trained in health and safety requirements in relation to asbestos.

“Only appropriately-trained members of the workforce, using the correct protective equipment, are asked to remove asbestos.”

Asbestos causes an aggressive form of cancer, mesothelioma, which can appear decades later.

Meanwhile, Ucatt members demonstrated outside Carlisle Housing’s head office yesterday in support of suspended convener Fred Metcalfe.

He has been told to stay at home while managers investigate claims that he organised a “false petition”.

They have banned him from speaking to staff, tenants and tenants’ friends and relatives without permission.

He says the Draconian conditions prevent him from contacting members of his own family who are tenants.

David Barnes, 63, a former stores manager at Carlisle Housing, joined the demonstration in Botchergate.

He said: “We are here to support Fred who has been very badly treated.”

He added: “I was the stores manager for a number of years and I could see the attitude to health and safety first hand.

“They talked about it a lot but didn’t practice what they preached.”

Carlisle Housing Association took over the city’s council houses from Carlisle City Council in 2002.