Rail union boss mocked on Have I Got News for You after bringing nation to standstill

UNION boss Mick Lynch was left red faced as he was mocked by Richard Ayoade for bringing the country to a standstill.

The RMT Union General Secretary, 60, appeared last night as a panellist on BBC show Have I Got News For You - just one week before strikes are set to bring the country to a halt.

In a segment on the Queen’s funeral, host Ayoade, 45, asked contestants why the number of Brits travelling to London was not as high as first estimated.

Roisin Conaty, 43, claimed it was due to “the internet” and people “watching it on the telly”.

Lynch, who was earlier this year forced to deny claims he was paid over £120,000 a year, was then mocked by Ayoade, who joked: “On previous occasions people have travelled to London from all parts of the country, but it’s much harder to travel these days, isn’t it?”

The strike boss was left silent and shuffling uncomfortably in his chair as the audience laughed.

Lynch did not reply to the pointed comment.

Railway strikes next weekend are set to cripple rail networks across the country, with Network Rail claiming just 11% of trains will operate.

Drivers from the ASLEF union, alongside signallers and guards from the RMT will walk out on October 1, 5 and 8.

Train companies have warned Brits not to travel, adding that most stations will see no services at all.

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group blasted Lynch claiming the strikes were “unnecessary and damaging” - and would disrupt major events including the London Marathon.

The strikes are scheduled to clash with the opening and closing days of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.