Union leaders called on Boris Johnson to apologise to London Underground staff today after they were assaulted and spat on during last night’s ‘booze party’, organised to mark the start of the Mayor alcohol ban on public transport.

Six Tube stations were closed as thousands of people partied on the Circle Line. There were 17 arrests after four Tube drivers, three other members of staff and two police officers were assaulted. Around 50 staff were said to have been verbally abused or spat at.

The party was prompted by Mr Johnson’s alcohol ban on public transport - which came into effect at midnight - and was organised via social networking site Facebook.

But what started as a happy drinking session descended into chaos as drunken revellers jammed stations, fought, vomited and damaged trains.

RMT, the network’s biggest union, blamed the chaos on Mr Johnson and said his plans were "imposed with haste without consultations".

Bob Crow, the general secretary, said: "Johnson should apologise personally to all those who were assaulted and abused last night thanks to a half-baked gimmick designed solely as a publicity stunt and without a moment's thought for the people told to implement it.

"We warned that it could put our members at greater risk of assault, but there is no comfort in being proved right when Tube workers have been injured and abused.

The alcohol ban was Mr Johnson’s first policy announcment after taking office. While he said that it would improve safety and security on public transport in the capital, concerns were immediately raised that it would be almost impossible to enforce.

From today, passengers will be ordered off Tube trains and buses if they consume alcohol while on board. Until it is enshrined in a bylaw, which will take about a year, there is no punishment available to transport staff except for ejection.

Thousands of people signed up for the party on Facebook sites with names like"The Booze Tube" and "One Final Tube Booze Party". Party-goers met at Liverpool Street Station yesterday evening and embarked on a continuous journey around the Cirlce Line, with plenty of alcohol.

They wrote afterwards of how much they had enjoyed the party.

"What a night...one party to never forget, UP YOURS BORIS," said one partygoer.

Another described the event as a "mark of pride", adding: "TO ALL THOSE WHO RAVED IT UP ON THE TUBE!!! TO ALL THOSE WHO VANDALISED THE TRAIN!!! TO ALL THOSE WHO STOLE TUBE MAPS!!! I SALUTE YOU!!"

Liverpool Street Underground station was closed to ease overcrowding for several hours. Other Tube stations closed by police were Euston, Euston Square, Aldgate, Gloucester Road and Baker Street.

Superintendent Ellie Bird said she had no doubt that the event had begun with a small number of people keen to have fun without causing trouble.

But she added: "We have seen numerous examples this evening of the negative impact of alcohol and antisocial behaviour. It is dangerous for those individuals and others

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