Controversial rail union boss Bob Crow has died suddenly.

Mr Crow was general secretary of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union, and had been at the forefront of disputes with rail companies and London Transport over recent years.

Only last month he was involved in a live on-air spat with London Mayor Boris Johnson over a Tube strike which caused major problems for commuters and other travellers to London.

A brief statement from his union said: “It is with the deepest regret that RMT has to confirm that our general secretary Bob Crow sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning.

“RMT would request that all media respect the privacy of the friends and family of Bob Crow at this distressing time.”