An IT boss who told staff they would be first in line for redundancy if they voted Labour has said the threat was just "banter".
John Brooker sent an email to employees at Storm Technologies in Watford on 8 June, the day of the general election.
It said: "Labour voters will be made redundant first if Labour do win and things slow down".
The GMB union said it was "unacceptable and morally wrong" but Mr Brooker insisted it was "totally made in jest".
Managing director Mr Brooker sent the email to more than 100 employees at the company's offices on Croxley Business Park.
It said he would have to "re-think a few things here at the company" if Labour won.
"So if you value your job and want to hold onto your hard earned money vote Conservative," it continued.