THE GMB union faces a backlash from some of its members over the decision to endorse a No vote in the independence referendum.

Jim Moody, senior shop steward at Scottish Borders Council, said the move by Scotland's third biggest trade union organisation had been a "betrayal and a disgraceful stitch-up."

Mr Moody, a member for more than 20 years who represents more than 200 members locally, said: "I have spoken to other shop stewards and GMB members and we are incandescent.

"The union leadership has absolutely no right to take this action. To say we have been consulted is a falsehood, pure and simple.

"There has certainly been no consultation in this part of the world. The first I heard about this was when I saw it on Facebook."

There was widespread complaint on social media yesterday from some GMB activists claiming that they had not been consulted as part of the exercise which then led to the union's decision to put its weight behind a No vote.

No one from the union responded to the complaint last night but the announcement at the weekend claimed full consultation had been carried out.

Mr Moody, an SNP activist, insisted: "This decision has not been endorsed by the membership and it makes absolutely no sense. The union leadership has taken a hugely important and controversial decision without having any of the hard facts about what a Yes vote will mean.

"How can they possibly come to a judgment on independence without waiting for the Scottish Government's White Paper on the subject, which is due out later this month and will give us a full picture?"