Union members at London Bridge station will not challenge passengers who do not produce a valid ticket as part of industrial action.

Members of the RMT union will also take strike action at the station from 10pm on May 7 until 9.59pm on May 8.

The RMT have instructed staff not to challenge any customers who refuse to produce a valid ticket, oyster card, bank card or permit for travel.

They have also been told not to service any ticket machines.

The industrial action comes after London Underground staff were sacked and disciplined after intervening in an assault between a fare-dodger and members of staff.

Three members of staff, including a pregnant woman, were assaulted by a passenger after challenging him to produce a ticket, according to the RMT.

One of the staff members was subsequently sacked, while the other two recieved 52 week final warnings.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “This was a shocking, violent incident and those that bore the brunt of it should have been supported and commended by the company.

"Instead they have been sacked or disciplined in what is the most appalling multiple miscarriage of justice.

"That is an outrage that has enraged every single tube employee who risks their neck on the stations and platforms against a backdrop of a growing pattern of abuse and violence.

“London Underground should do the decent thing – reinstate our member, lift the disciplinary action and send out the message that fare-dodging and violence will not be tolerated and that staff in the front line will get the support and assistance that they need.”

Brian Woodhead, Operations Director for London Underground, said: “We conducted a thorough investigation into this incident, including an extensive review of CCTV footage from the station.

"Following a full disciplinary process, the decision to dismiss this member of staff has been upheld.

“Our investigation clearly showed that no member of staff was assaulted, nor was the incident prompted by staff defending a colleague.

"We take a zero tolerance approach to violence against our staff but we also expect our employees to adhere to acceptable standards of conduct and behaviour when dealing with members of the public. In this case, those standards were not met.

"We urge the RMT to withdraw this unjustifiable action which will only result in needless disruption to Londoners.”