Unite, the UK’s biggest trade union, has denied rumours that T&G wants to split from its merger with Amicus.

Unite is headed up by joint secretaries Tony Woodley from the T&G and Derek Simpson from Amicus. The Times reported that the relationship between the two secretaries was “marked by rivalry and suspicion” and T&G had sought legal advice to split from the merger.

In a joint statement Woodley and Simpson said: "Press reports today paint a misleading picture of the situation in Unite and an entirely false one of our personal relationship. We wish to set the record straight.

"The formation of Unite was overwhelmingly endorsed by the members of both the T&G and Amicus in a ballot last year. This year, our members again approved Unite's new rule book by a massive majority.”

Both stated they were confident T&G and Amicus could “move forward in unity to secure the full potential of our trade union”.

The statement also said: "We would also underline that our personal relations are far from as described in The Times. We share a warm personal friendship, holding as we do the same values and the same vision for the future of Unite.”