Tube workers were poised to launch a massive 48-hour walkout yesterday after slippery London Mayor Boris Johnson refused talks with rail union leaders.

The RMT's Bob Crow and TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes travelled to City Hall in a bid to persuade Mr Johnson to hold last ditch talks.

The Tory mayor has refused to speak to union leaders since taking office in 2008 and the pair found he had fled once again.