Even before the capture, the press had been predicting that unofficial action would be taken against him.

Therefore, you can - subject to some exceptions (see below) - fairly dismiss an employee taking part in unofficial industrial action.

For the difference between official and unofficial industrial action, see our guide on industrial disputes.

If you are dismissed while taking unofficial industrial action, you will have no right to complain of unfair dismissal.

The new measures are aimed at curbing unofficial action, which last year accounted for 40 per cent of the days lost through strikes.

On Friday 6 June night shift workers again took unofficial action when a mixed material containing asbestos dust spilled.

The proposal would not prevent unofficial action taken on the day without any notice.

'It is surely wrong to make unions police unofficial action which they have not endorsed.'

The union appealed to the House of Lords and the unofficial action was abandoned.

This is sometimes termed unofficial industrial action.