Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT rail union, said the UK Government's anti-strike laws are "an attack on civil rights" at a protest in Whitehall on Monday night (January 16).

The second reading of the bill is takes place in Parliament on Monday. Lynch was speaking at an RMT-organised emergency demo.

Lynch said: "We’re here to protest against the anti-strike laws that have started going through Parliament tonight on a second reading, which are attack on civil rights, on union rights. … This government, having lost the argument on pay and austerity, because they can’t win the argument, they’ve changed the rules of the match. They’re 2-0 down at half-time and they’re giving themselves a lift-up.

He added: "I’m glad to see so many people come out at short notice at this demonstration."

Head of the RMT union Mick Lynch talks about the protest against the Tory Government

Protesters in Whitehall protest against the Tory Government and calling for a general strike

Lynch said: "We’re here to protest against the anti-strike laws that have started going through parliament tonight on a second reading, which are attack on civil rights, on union rights. … This govt, having lost the argument on pay and austerity, because they can’t win the argument, they’ve changed the rules of the match. They’re 2-0 down at half-time and they’re giving themselves a lift-up. I’m glad to see so many people come out at short notice at this demonstration."