Let's not allow the facts to get in the way of a true story. Personally involved on this one so fully aware of all the facts and I know Alex well.

1. He failed the 2 BREATH tests on the same day less than 10 minutes apart.

2. The testing was carried out by a Trainee

3. A separate Urine sample was taken, which for some strange reason was not tested for Alcohol only drugs and came back negative. The 2nd Urine sample was destroyed by the company without having ever being tested for Alcohol. WHY ?

4. Alex is a Type 2 diabetic, has a defective Liver and had not eaten for 17 hours prior to the test all factors which could possibly lead to a false positive reading.

5. The company failed to follow all its own rules under the D&A testing procedure.

The RMT doesn't want drunks or druggies driving trains. We're as committed to safety as anyone. We feel he would have been better off if the police had been called because at least they'd have taken him to the Police station and secondary tested him which would have proved one way or another beyond any doubt.

After all, his colleagues at Morden balloted to strike for him the company asked for a meeting at ACAS. We attended the meeting and agreed to call off the strike action if the company agreed to be bound by the outcome of the forthcoming Employment Tribunal. They refused the offer and the strike went ahead. WHY?

If they are so confident that they have dealt with him properly and fairly - ignoring his 29 years unblemished service - why will they not agree to be bound by the decision of an Employment Tribunal?