ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Emergency talks are taking place today in a bid to avert a planned strike being staged by London Underground Tube drivers.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union on the Northern Line are due to walk out on Monday over a driver being sacked for allegedly drinking on duty.

The conciliation service Acas said that the parties involved in the dispute "have accepted our invitation to attend conciliation talks at Acas."

An RMT spokesman said: "RMT is pleased that our request for the Northern Line Tube dispute to be taken into Acas has met a positive response and we can confirm that the union side will be in attendance and looking to reach a settlement on the issues that provoked this strike action."

London Underground's chief operating officer, Phil Hufton, said: "The RMT has absolutely no basis to take strike action after one of their members was dismissed for failing an alcohol breath test.

"To ensure the safety of our customers we operate a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol at work.

"At no point has the RMT leadership disputed our alcohol testing process, which is fully in line with medical standards and is representative of best practice in the rail industry.

"There is an agreement in place with the RMT that all options, including talks at Acas, should be exhausted before strike action is called or carried out and it's unfortunate that the RMT have chosen not to follow this.

"I urge the RMT leadership to call off this pointless strike threat and to discuss how to resolve this issue. Strike action is inappropriate and unnecessary and will not influence our decision over the failed alcohol test."