A union chief is defending a decision to take out a newspaper advert, criticising a government minister.

Unite accused Community, Culture and Leisure Minister David Cretney of showing contempt for railway workers, after five of them were made redundant last month as the department tries to find savings of ?800,000.

Steve Salter is denying the ad was an unnecessary personal attack (listen to audio file below):

In a statement, Mr Cretney says he is disappointed at the 'personal attack' and hopes anyone who knows him will be aware how difficult the process has been.

He says talks continue to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies, but won't say any more as he doesn't wish to compromise the appeal process which will be heard on Friday (June 3).