Former NUM president Arthur Scargill has lost a court battle to have the union pay rent for his flat in London.

Mr Scargill, who relinquished the post in 2002, claimed his contract meant he had a home for life for him or his widow in the capital.

Chris Kitchen, NUM general secretary, said he was 'disappointed' the union had to take the case to court and Mr Scargill was in the past 'held in high regard by not just the NUM but every trade union movement.'

But he claimed Mr Scargill 'put more effort into looking after himself than after members'.

The NUM said the three-bedroom flat in the Barbican cost £34,000 a year in rent, which it was unable to afford.

Mr Scargill said he was given the flat for life in 1982 after becoming president.

The union was responsible for rent and expenses for the home which was rented from the City of of London Corporation until 2011.

Between 1985 and 1991 Mr Scargill paid for it himself.

Mr Kitchen said: "We will wait and see if his legal team has any grounds for appeal against the decision. Our legal team doesn't think there's any grounds on the decision that are appealable. They think they have got it spot on."

He added: "It's just disappointing for the lads (in the union) who put their trust in Mr Scargill and it was misplaced."

Mr Scargill labelled the decision 'perverse' following the hearing. He said he was given the entitlement to a property by the union 30 years ago and this had continued into his retirement, as it had done for his predecessors.

Asked about an appeal he said he would consult with his lawyers but added 'any independent observer will regard this as yet another judgement with the anti-Scargill feeling about it.'

He  was approached by the Chronicle but did not want to make any further comment on the decision.