An IT boss who told staff they would be first in line for redundancy if they voted Labour has said the threat was just "banter".

John Brooker sent an email to employees at Storm Technologies in Watford on 8 June, the day of the General Election.

It said: "Labour voters will be made redundant first if Labour do win and things slow down".

SEE ALSO: Watford IT company threatens redundancy for staff voting Labour

The GMB union said it was "unacceptable and morally wrong" but Mr Brooker insisted it was "totally made in jest".

Managing director Mr Brooker sent the email to more than 100 employees at the company's Blackmoor Lane offices near Croxley Business Park.

It said he would have to "re-think a few things here at the company" if Labour won.

"So if you value your job and want to hold onto your hard earned money vote Conservative," it continued.

SEE HOW THE ELECTION UNFOLDED HERE

In a statement, Mr Brooker said: "The email was a 'tongue in cheek' note sent immediately after a large group of my staff and I were having a joke in the company canteen on the day of the election and was totally meant in jest.

"No offence was intended, nor was there any threat whatsoever levelled at staff. This was nothing more than 'internal banter' now completely taken out of context.

"Obviously in hindsight I regret any offence this has caused and have reiterated to all my staff the respect I have for their political views and opinions."

The company has since closed its social media accounts.