Mr Thompson’s interview was later declared a “car crash” by BBC breakfast viewers with a recording going viral online.
The Royal Mail CEO began: “This morning on my way in I was listening to one of our customers.
“One of our customers from a company called Biscuiteers, who said that what we are doing to provide seven-day delivery of parcels for next day delivery as well, is doing absolutely the right thing.
“But they were also very, very clear that what is currently planned in terms of industrial action up until Christmas is going to be very disruptive to their business.”