Sacked Tube man defiant

The train driver at the centre of the strikes that will cripple the Tube over Christmas today made an extraordinary attempt to justify the action.

Chris Barrett, sacked for playing squash while off work with an ankle injury, today apologises for the disruption the capital faces on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve - but says he has no choice.

Despite admitting taking 218 days off sick in five years, Mr Barrett says he still believes he has been hard done-by.

"I'm really sorry if by having a strike I'm going to ruin people's Christmas - but my whole life has been ruined," he says.

"I don't want revenge, I just want my job back. That's why I have to piss off the people of London ... it's the one course of action available to me. I have to look after my family."

His words may not convince commuters, especially when they learn today that the stoppages on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines could be only a taste of things to come.

Mr Barrett's union backers today threatened further industrial action in the new year if he is not reinstated in his £32,000-a-year job. A London Underground spokesman, however, said the company refused to be bullied.

For the full interview with Chris Barrett buy tonight's Evening Standard.