Labour strike split deepens as Starmer fires Rayner’s partner

LABOUR’S civil war over industrial action intensified today as the party’s former shadow chancellor said MPs should support a general strike and protest with workers on the picket line.

- Rachael Burford

John McDonnell branded the sacking of Sam Tarry, who is believed to be in a relationship with Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner, for joining rail unions protesting outside Euston Station a “severe mistake”.

Shadow transport minister Mr Tarry was fired after he gave interviews supporting RMT workers who walked out yesterday in a long-running dispute over pay, pensions and redundancies.

Mr McDonnell told Sky News: “I don’t know who is advising Keir Starmer, but this is a completely unnecessary row that’s been invented just at a time when the Tories are tearing themselves apart, and we’ve got the maximum opportunity I think to gain an advantage in the polls that will build the support to take us into a government.”