Tube union RMT have hit back at a leaflet being distributed by Tory mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith claiming that he will ban Tube strikes in the capital.

In the leaflet, Zac Goldsmith explains that, as he supports the new Trade Union Bill, he will "make it harder for trade unions to cause unnecessary disruption by ensuring that strikes can only happen if they are genuinely supported by union members”.

He claims that the introduction of the bill would have prevented almost half of the Tube strikes in the last eight years.

The leaflet is being distributed as RMT and other transport unions campaign against the Night Tube and pay offers, with maintenance staff currently voting to take strike action.

General secretary Mick Cash said; "Zac Goldsmiths pathetic stunt marks him down as little more than a second-rate Boris Johnson tribute act as the current Mayor made similar bogus promises when he first stood for election.

"If Zac Goldsmith thinks that the way to win in London is to attack working people and threaten to jail them for standing up for for jobs, services and safety then he should think again.

"Zac Goldsmith has never had to fight for a decent standard of living, he comes from a privileged background where everything's been handed to him on a plate.

"RMT will take no lectures from multi-millionaires like Zac Goldsmith when it comes to our fight for economic and social justice and jobs, safety and decent, affordable transport services."

Speaking to getwestlondon, a spokesperson for Zac Goldsmith said: "It's not a claim it's a firm promise.

“Zac will stop strikes so that working people in London can get to work and earn the money they need to for themselves and their families.”

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