Commuters could face disruption on the London Underground (LU) after unions warned of industrial action in a row over safety.

Union leaders described talks on the safety of the controversial part-privatisation of the Tube as a "sham".

Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT), said LU needed to enter into "meaningful discussions" or he would call for a strike ballot.

Mr Crow has been backed by Aslef, the train drivers' union, which has also said it would consider industrial action over safety concerns.

'Industrial action'

Union safety representatives are concerned that commercial pressures and new management structures could affect the safe running of the Tube.

Mr Crow said: "LU has withheld information, failed to consult our reps properly and failed to provide us with up-to-date documents."

He said the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of the Tube was being "rushed through" to comply with a political deadline.

Mr Crow said the lives of his members, and of the travelling public, were at stake over the PPP controversy.

Mick Rix, general secretary of Aslef, backed Mr Crow.

He said: "Aslef will consider industrial action because of the lack of proper consultation and preparation on safety matters."

A ballot of the RMT's 8,500 Tube members could be held within weeks.