A hardline NHS union boss missed important talks with the government the day before ambulance strikes started, because he was on holiday.
Officials had expected to see Unite's Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe at meeting with Health Secretary Steve Barclay on Tuesday.
The strike date had been set for weeks, yet Mr Jarrett-Thorpe did not attend and Unite sent Onay Kasab in his place, reported.
Mr Jarrett-Thorpe is the union's national officer for health and just days ago he is claimed to have said the public will support his members even if 'maximum disruption might lead to harm or even death' - which he denies.





Health Secretary Steve Barclay met Unite's Onay Kasab in place of the union's national officer for health






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Speaking after the talks with Mr Barclay ended, Onay Kasab of Unite, said: 'The Government have got to engage on pay because these strikes will escalate otherwise, that is the reality.'
Mr Barclay said: 'Our ambulance staff are incredibly dedicated to their job and it is deeply regrettable some union members are going ahead with strike action. My priority is to keep patients safe.
'The Government and NHS colleagues have been working to protect safe staffing levels.'
A Tory source told The Sun said: 'Union officials claim to be concerned about patient safety but seem to be more interested in waging political battles and furthering industrial strife by any means necessary.'
On the issues of missing an important meeting, Unite said: 'This is an intrusion on the private lives of two full-time officers.
'It would be entirely inappropriate to comment.'





Ambulance workers across Wales and England striked yesterday over pay and working conditions

On the comments about the public supporting the union even if it leads to 'harm or even death', The Sun reported that Mr Jarrett-Thorpe was responding to a question on a video when he made the comments.
He said: 'Well, yes.

We did a survey back in July, just before the pay review body recommendation.
'And 58 per cent of the people that were surveyed said they'd support NHS workers taking industrial action if they got below nine per cent pay rise.'
However, the union later insisted Mr Jarrett-Thorpe did not hear the final part of a question mentioning 'maximum disruption' leading to 'harm or even death'.


 




How many ambulance workers are striking?

Which areas are affected? Will heart attack victims be taken to hospital by 999 crews? EVERYTHING you need to know about Wednesday's ambulance strike


Up to 26,600 ambulance workers started the first of two days of strike action

The walkouts will last up to 24 hours and took place on Wednesday and Dec 28

Members at three separate unions voted to strike - GMB, Unite and Unison 

They say the most serious emergency callouts will be responded to 

POLL: Do YOU think ambulance workers are right to strike? Vote here 

Have YOU been affected by today's ambulance strike? Email joe.davies@mailonline.co.uk  

By HANNAH MCDONALD FOR MAILONLINE
NHS ambulance strikes started on Wednesday, marking the biggest walkout of its kind in 30 years. 
But which staff are taking to picket lines?

How many workers are striking? And will heart attack patients still be taken to hospital by 999 crews? 
MailOnline answers all your questions on today's strikes.