Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said that the RMT’s accusation that he “wrecked” strike negotiations is “a total lie”.
Earlier on Wednesday, the union had claimed that Mr Shapps was refusing to allow Network Rail “to withdraw their letter threatening redundancy for 2,900 of our members”.
In response, Mr Shapps said: “This is a total lie from the RMT and its general secretary. I have had absolutely nothing to do with either the issuing of a letter from Network Rail, the employer, to the RMT - or any request to withdraw it.
“I understand that the letter makes no mention of 2,900 redundancies, but I do know it confirmed Network Rail would be introducing desperately needed reforms for the industry after the union chose strike action instead of further talks.
“The RMT continues to deflect from the fact that the only people responsible for the massive public disruption this week is them.”
Train passengers are suffering more disruption from strike action as talks resume in a bid to resolve the bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
