Tube: Stoppage prompted row

RMT chief Bob Crow has resigned from the board of Transport for London following criticism from Ken Livingstone.

The London mayor spoke out against the union ahead of next week's London Underground strike over pay and conditions.

Crow resigned from the top level posting just days after being reappointed by the mayor despite criticism from opponents in rival political parties.

His decision has been welcomed by Simon Hughes MP, the Liberal Democrat London spokesman.

"After last night's disaster for England, Bob Crow's resignation from Transport for London is much better news for Londoners," he said.

"I made clear during the mayoral campaign that to have Mr Crow as one of the
decision makers for London transport was no help in sorting out the future of transport in London."

Hughes added that Livingstone must "now show himself to be big enough and independent enough" to appoint people on the basis of their ability to resolve the capital's transport ills.

Crow has signalled that next week's 24 hour tube stoppage, which could cripple the capital, will still go ahead.