Corus should drop its threat to sue the heads of four international steel companies in its efforts to save 2,000 jobs at one of its biggest plants, according to a top union official.

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the UK steel union Community, said it would be “sensible” for Corus to set aside the legal measures as a way to bring the four steelmakers to the negotiating table to decide on the future of its Teesside factory in north-east England.