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London 2012: Clegg condemns Unite's Olympics strike threat | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ministers have condemned suggestions from the leader of Britain's biggest union that workers should consider striking during the London Olympics. | |
Len McCluskey, of Unite, >told the Guardian that civil disobedience could be timed to disrupt the 2012 Games. | |
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said people would be "gobsmacked, appalled" at the idea of disrupting "one of the greatest events in the world". | |
However, union sources told the BBC there were no specific strike plans. | |
Mr Clegg told ITV's Daybreak programme: "I know he is the sort of paymaster of the Labour Party but I hope [party leader] Ed Miliband will rein him in." | |
Conservative co-chairman Baroness Warsi agreed, calling the comments "an appalling display of naked self-interest". | |
"It is disgraceful for a trade union boss to be calling for mass disruption when the eyes of the world will be on Britain," she told the BBC. | |
"I am shocked that Unite would sink so low as to spoil this great national event for everyone else." | |
'Right to protest' | 'Right to protest' |
Mr McCluskey had told the Guardian: "If the Olympics provide us with an opportunity, then that's exactly one that we should be looking at. | |
"The attacks that are being launched on public sector workers at the moment are so deep and ideological that the idea the world should arrive in London and have these wonderful Olympic Games as though everything is nice and rosy in the garden is unthinkable. | |
"Our very way of life is being attacked. By then this crazy Health and Social Care Bill may have been passed, so we are looking at the privatisation of our National Health Service. | "Our very way of life is being attacked. By then this crazy Health and Social Care Bill may have been passed, so we are looking at the privatisation of our National Health Service. |
"The unions, and the general community, have got every right to be out protesting." | "The unions, and the general community, have got every right to be out protesting." |
Mr McCluskey said the purpose of protest was "to bring your grievances to the attention of as many people as possible". | Mr McCluskey said the purpose of protest was "to bring your grievances to the attention of as many people as possible". |
However, shadow Olympics minister Tessa Jowell said no athlete or visitor would understand or sympathise with any disruption. | |
She said: "If this is a negotiation it should take place in private. Unions and employers should get together and sort it out without threats or disruption to Britain's Olympics." | She said: "If this is a negotiation it should take place in private. Unions and employers should get together and sort it out without threats or disruption to Britain's Olympics." |
BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said Unite insiders - asked about their general secretary's comments - had played down the prospect of strikes, with one saying there was "nothing specific planned". | BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said Unite insiders - asked about their general secretary's comments - had played down the prospect of strikes, with one saying there was "nothing specific planned". |