The Enquirer understands that Ritchie suddenly became ill during the hearing into his conduct as leader of the union.

He is believed to have collapsed and union colleagues called an ambulance to rush him to hospital.

Ritchie was removed from office last year following the discovery of voting irregularities.

He was also barred from standing for the recent general secretary election which he tried to stop with an unsuccessful High Court action.

The disciplinary action is believed to focus on alleged expenses irregularities.