The UK Government's "hard-line tactics" have given Scottish firefighters no choice but to continue striking, according to a union leader.

The comment was made as the fourth round of UK-wide industrial action got under way at 0900 GMT on Tuesday.

A further two-day stoppage is planned for the weekend over the firefighters' long-running 40% pay claim.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scottish executive member John McDonald said the government was using "hard-line tactics".

FIREFIGHTERS STRIKE

We are absolutely disgusted with the government John McDonald FBU

"If we don't have this strike action the government will get away with what it is doing, running the fire service down," said Mr McDonald.

"But there has to be a mixture of legal and political action as well as industrial action, which is why the union is taking out an injunction against employers in England."

He added: "We are absolutely disgusted with the government.

"While we have been trying to negotiate a resolution, the government has been legislating and ordering the employers to implement cutbacks."

He claimed many senior fire officers were equally opposed to the controversial Bain report but were "too scared to speak out".

The local government organisation Cosla, which is currently responsible for firefighters in Scotland, said the service was a local issue and should remain under local government control.

And socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan accused the UK government of a Mussolini-style attempt to break the strike.

Thousands of trade unionists are expected to rally in Glasgow on Saturday in support of the firefighters and emergency control staff.

Other public worker unions have been lending their backing to the fire union leaders.

'Job cuts'

The weekend's mass rally is expected to be addressed by FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist.

Meanwhile, the sides in the dispute appear to be further apart than ever.

Scotland has so far avoided a major incident during previous strike action in the dispute.

Two people died in fire-related incidents during industrial action last week.

Local authority employers are still pushing a review of the service by Sir George Bain as the basis of any settlement.

The FBU believes accepting the employers' proposals will cost 4,500 jobs and shut 150 fire stations.