Ken: I cannot interfere over Tube strike

Ken Livingstone today refused to step into the worsening pay row which threatens strike action on the Tube.

This heightens the risk of industrial action by the RMT, largest of the Tube unions, against maintenance consortia Metronet and Tube Lines.

RMT leader Bob Crow has warned he will ballot for action unless the private sector consortia agree fully to fund back pay for 6,500 workers in a deal brokered by the Mayor 12 months ago.

The two companies, however, are refusing to do this - because, under contracts with London Underground, they inherited responsibility for the staff only this year.

LU has already paid the money to thousands of Tube workers it retained. But the Mayor's spokesman said he "cannot interfere in negotiations between the unions and private companies".