Olympics London 2012: Shameful threat to strike by Len McCluskey of Unite

Cross party condemnation

Suggestions from Unite the Union by its leader Len McCluskey that there should be civil disobedience during the London Olympics have been roundly condemned across party lines by British political leaders.

David Cameron called the notion "unacceptable and unpatriotic".  Labour also criticised McCluskey's comments.

The BBC has reported that a Union spokesperson has said that "there were no specific strike plans."

Nick Clegg has also said: "People will just be gobsmacked, appalled, at Mr McCluskey's remarks. At a time when we can showcase to the world that we are positively and optimistically putting on this fantastic event, he wants to bring people out on the streets."

The Deputy Prime Minister concluded "(to) mess up the Olympics to prove a point" would be bad for the country and invited Ed Miliband to "rein in "McCluskey as Unite the Union is Labour's largest contributor.

McCluskey speaking to the Guardian newspaper declared: "If the Olympics provide us with an opportunity, then that's exactly one that we should be looking at.

He went on "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."