Miners' champion Skinner joins TUC outcry

Mr Skinner, a towering figure in the great miners' strike of 1984-5, spoke out as rebellion spread among TUC delegates against the threatened Cameron invasion of the Manchester Congress.

The TUC invitation must be cancelled immediately, said the veteran MP. He added: "It is an outrage. I just wonder what world they are living in."

Mr Skinner warned: "We are going to have some of the biggest battles since the '80s against this government's onslaught on the working class.

"It is throwing people on the dole. It's slashing public services. It's extending privatisation of the NHS. And now it is talking about bringing in more anti-strike laws."

Instead of inviting Mr Cameron or his sidekick Nick Clegg, he demanded that the TUC general council must call an emergency meeting to co-ordinate action against the cuts and "support action by trade unionists."

A meeting of TUC delegates from public service union Unison exploded into anger over the invitation to the wrecking Con-Dem Prime Minister.

Many delegates demanded withdrawal of the invitation to the multimillionaire toff who is spearheading a vicious attack on unions, jobs and living standards.

Rail union RMT general secretary Bob Crow, who will lead a walkout if Mr Cameron or Mr Clegg dare to invade the TUC Congress, praised Mr Skinner for his outspoken remarks.

"There are few people in Parliament who understand the nature of the Tory beast better than Dennis Skinner," said Mr Crow.

"The rest of the labour movement should listen to what Dennis has got to say about this particular issue.

"Dennis played a leading role in the miners' strike and was the acknowledged political spokesman for the miners along with Tony Benn."

Downing Street officials remained jumpy and tight-lipped on Tuesday regarding the invitation to their boss. Security staff are concerned about exposing Mr Cameron to angry demonstrations or ridicule.

Mr Cameron admitted to a group of journalists last week that he was considering sending his tame sidekick Mr Clegg to face the TUC.

However, one of Mr Cameron's spokesmen has refused to even acknowledge that the invitation had been received. He added: "If we were going to accept that invitation, we certainly would not announce its acceptance at this stage."

Leading left MP John McDonnell declared: "This is a serious mistake by the TUC and many will see it as an act of collaboration with the class enemy."

He added: "At a time when people are losing their jobs, public services are being slashed, the NHS is being privatised and education undermined, the TUC should not be giving a platform to the perpetrator of this savage attack on our class."

Labour MP Austin Mitchell has spoken out in favour of inviting Mr Cameron to the TUC, describing it as a "smart move" to enable trade unions to put their case to the government.

TUC delegates should welcome Mr Cameron, he argued. "There should not be a heavy confrontation. At least not yet."