If there's one person we have become used to seeing and hearing on our TVs and radios this week it's Mick Lynch. Mr Lynch, the general secretary of the national union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT), has been doing the rounds in media appearances as the strike has been under way.
Understandably he has had some challenging questions thrown his way but the union leader at the helm of the biggest walkout in the industry for 30 years has become something of a social media sensation with his brutal takedowns of his interviewers. Clips have been circulating the internet of Mr Lynch "handing people their arses" with his quick-witted comebacks fast-tracking him to "national treasure status".
The 60-year-old spokesperson has bounced from network to network, remaining remarkably cool as he rebukes false claims and attempts to rattle him. Here are some of our favourite putdowns so far.
Mick Lynch vs Piers Morgan
Rather than addressing the real issues Piers Morgan attempted to rattle Mr Lynch by discussing his choice of Facebook profile picture – The Hood from Thunderbirds. "I'm just wondering where the comparison goes because he was obviously an evil criminal terrorist mastermind described as the world's most dangerous man," Piers suggested.
"He's the most evil puppet made out of vinyl in the world," Mick responded. "Is that the level journalism is at these days?"
Piers, becoming increasingly rattled, attempted to drive the narrative, asking why Mick would use such an evil person as a likeness. "I think it's quite funny," Mick responded, referencing to the similarity in their appearance before checking if Piers would like to ask any real questions about the strike.
Mick Lynch vs Kay Burley
On Sky News presenter Kay Burley asked the RMT secretary, "What will [strikers do] if agency workers try to cross those picket lines?" With a slight smile Mr Lynch responded: "Well we will picket them – what do you think we will do? We run a picket line and we'll ask them not to go to work. Do you not know how a picket line works?"
Kay attempted to press the line of questioning, insinuating that the RMT picket line could become as tense as the miners' strikes in the 1980s. Mr Lynch glanced behind him at a calm picket line and asked: "Does it look like the miners' strike? What are you talking about? You seem to have gone off into a world that isn't real."
Mick Lynch vs Richard Madeley
Jumping in at the start of the interview, Richard Madeley asks: "Are you or are you not a Marxist? Because if you are a Marxist then you're into revolution and into bringing down capitalism. So are you or aren't you?"
With his slight smile that has become a signature sign Mr Lynch is ready to come out with another great one-liner. He laughs: "Richard, you do come out with the most remarkable twaddle sometimes."
Mick Lynch vs Chris Philp
In a Newsnight interview between Conservative Chris Philp and the RMT secretary Mr Lynch doesn't wait to respond with his witty one-liner. Instead he continuously calls out the MP, saying: "That's a lie, that is a lie, a direct lie." He then continued to detail each lie the MP told and how it was a lie.
Mick Lynch vs Jonathan Gullis
On BBC Politics Live Tory MP Jonathan Gullis said Mr Lynch was "undermining" the rail network. He also stated Mr Lynch should apologise to the "doctors and nurses who can't get to hospital, the patients who can't get their operations, the kids who will miss out on their education today, but also those armed forces veterans who risked their lives for our freedom who won't be able to celebrate armed forces day on Saturday". When Mr Lynch was asked if he would like to apologise for those things he responded: "Well I think Jonathan should apologise for talking nonsense. None of that is true."
Mick Lynch vs Baroness Jenny Chapman
Labour shadow cabinet minister of state Jenny Chapman was speaking about politicians' involvement on picket lines on BBC Politics Live when she fell victim to Mr Lynch's cutting remarks. She said: "It's up to an individual Labour MP what they do[...] Keir Starmer made it clear that for the shadow cabinet it was not helpful for us to be on the picket line and he's absolutely right."
Mr Lynch highlighted that the Labour party was founded by the trade unions but said since the Blair era "Labour politicians have not identified with the working-class people and failing to do that is one of the problems they've got in working-class communities".
He continued: "The Labour Party is about supporting working-class people or it should be[...] They've got to sort out their identity." He also welcomed anyone who wanted to join them on the picket line and support them.
His words struck a nerve with Baroness Chapman, who stated, "You don't know anything about my background or my community or where I come from." To her surprise Mr Lynch agreed, saying: "I don't even know who you are." He added: "I didn't tell you you weren't working class. I don't even know your name." Ouch.
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