TUBE strikes threatened for next week have been called off after a sacked driver was reinstated.

An employment tribunal has ruled train driver Arwyn Thomas was unfairly dismissed by Transport for London, and other lesser punishments should have been considered first.

The Rail Maritime and Transport had threatened to push ahead with three strikes next week, causing disruption to regular Tube services.

But the action has been shelved following the tribunal decision delivered yesterday.

Mike Brown, managing director at London Underground, welcomed the move, and stressed Mr Thomas had been sacked because of abusive behaviour rather than owing to his union activities, as the RMT had claimed.

He added: “The settlement that we have reached ensures that Mr Thomas' re-instatement is on a basis that recognises the seriousness of his offensive behaviour.”

The union has claimed the tribunal ruling vindicated its actions, but has agreed to hold off on industrial action in future while employment tribunals are pending.