FOUR activists being disciplined by a union will protest at its national conference, claiming they are victims of a "witch hunt".

Public service union Unison is taking action against the four, including the Greenwich branch's Onay Kasab and Glenn Kelly of the Bromley branch.

Brian Debus of Hackney and Suzanne Muna of the housing corporations branch are also being disciplined.

A disciplinary hearing was held from May 14 to May 16 at London Hilton Metropole Hotel and has now been adjourned to a later date.</ The hearing comes after the activists produced a leaflet comparing union leaders to the three wise monkeys in the Japanese proverb.

Their leaflet, featuring the caption "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", criticised the union for lack of debate at its national conference on issues like its relationship with the Labour Party.

But the four have been told by union chiefs some people could find the image racially offensive.

A disciplinary hearing was held from May 14 to May 16 at London Hilton Metropole Hotel and has now been adjourned to a later date.

All four have denied any intention to offend and around 70 supporters came out to protest at their treatment on the hearing's first day.

They claim the trial's aim is to rid the union of members hostile to New Labour policy.

Mr Kelly, a member of Unison's national executive said: "We're treating it as a witch hunt.

"It's ludicrous. They're saying now that even producing the leaflet is against their rules."

Mr Kasab said: "We intend to take our campaign to the national conference now and we'll be looking to hold a day of protests.

"The support's been absolutely magnificent.

"What's been key for us is the number of black members who have come forward and said they support us."

A spokesman for Unison said: "All I can say is there has been an investigation and there have been complaints against some members.

"I cannot say any more than that because it would be completely unfair to say what they are being investigated about until the hearing is over."

Unison's national conference will begin on June 17 in Bournemouth.