Mary Turner MBE is happy to retell how she’s been the victim of practical jokes by GMB General Secretary Paul Kenny. “One of Paul’s favourites was to pretend he was the taxman. He was very good at that until the giggling started, which was a giveaway.” says Mary.

“The phone rang one night at home and my husband answered. He’d got used to Paul’s jokes. I heard him saying “oh yeah!” and “of course” in a sarcastic manner. After a bit he shouted ‘Bollocks chops is on the phone. Kenny’s up to his old tricks again.’”

“I took the phone to speak to Paul, but it was the Mayor of Brent, wondering what on earth was going on.”