Tube staff charged over drinks find

The cans were found at Farringdon Tube station

Fourteen Tube track maintenance workers have been suspended after more than 100 empty beer cans and bottles of alcohol were found in a mess room.

The staff have been charged with gross misconduct following the discovery at a London Underground (LU) station.

The room was used by workers to change in and out of uniforms, according to Metronet, the private firm which maintains part of the tube network.

Empty brandy and wine bottles together with full cans of lager and cider were found in a fridge, cooker and in a loft above the room at Farringdon Tube station.

The company, which said it had a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and alcohol, charged the 14 with gross misconduct.

Metronet now intend to set up a kangaroo court to dismiss these people, some with more than 20 years' experience, regardless of the lack of any evidence against them RMT's Bobby Law

The 14 workers were tested for drugs and alcohol but they all returned negative results. Disciplinary hearings are expected over the next week.

Bobby Law, London regional organiser of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which represents the suspended workers, said: "No hard evidence whatsoever has so far been produced against any of our members, and none of those involved has tested positively for drugs or alcohol."

Mr Law said he believed the case was an attempt by Metronet to deflect attention from the union's safety fears on the Tube, which could lead to industrial action in the next few weeks.

"Metronet now intends to set up a kangaroo court to dismiss these people, some with more than 20 years' experience, regardless of the lack of any evidence against them."