Strike threat over Tube camera

The RMT has asked all covert cameras be removed

Tube maintenance workers are threatening to strike in a row over a tiny hidden camera at Baker Street station.

Metronet, which has responsibility for three lines under the part-privatisation of the Tube, says it installed the surveillance camera to help catch vandals.

But the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has accused the company of Big Brother-style surveillance at the central London station.

The camera covers an area where there have been two attempted break-ins recently causing £1,000 of damage, said a Metronet spokesman.

"The camera is designed to catch vandals," he added.

"We don't even have access to the images. They go back to London Transport or the police."

But the RMT has asked Metronet to remove it, or face a ballot for industrial action.

The union's London organiser Bobby Law said: "We are happy to discuss the installation of video cameras to protect our members and the travelling public and to deter vandalism, but this sort of Big Brother surveillance is simply not on.

"We have written to the company seeking an assurance that this and any other covert surveillance devices are removed."