A senior official of the RMT transport union has been suspended after saying on social media that he would “throw a party” if Boris Johnson died of coronavirus.

A series of comments posted on the Facebook page of RMT assistant general secretary Steve Hedley also stated that he hoped that the whole cabinet and other senior Conservatives would catch the disease.

In a joint statement, RMT president Michelle Rodgers and general secretary Mick Cash said: “Steve Hedley’s comments do not represent the views of this trade union and are wholly unacceptable.”

A spokesman for the union said: “Following a meeting of the union’s national executive a decision has been made to suspend senior assistant general secretary Steve Hedley with immediate effect while a formal investigation takes place into his conduct.”

RMT assistant general secretary Steve Hedley (PA)

Mr Hedley is effectively the RMT’s number two, and took a prominent role in disputes which disrupted commuters’ travel last year.

A post on his Facebook page earlier this week stated that, having heard the prime minister had contracted Covid-19, he was “sending thoughts, prayers and best wishes to the virus after such a horrible experience”.

When another user objected to his comment, he advised her to block him, saying he wouldn’t cry “crocodile tears for people who’ve killed the working class and vulnerable for years”.

And a later post said: “I don’t want to offend you but if Bojo pops his clogs I’m throwing a party.”