Labour row deepens as ex shadow Chancellor calls for general strike

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

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 on Wednesday in a long running dispute over pay, pensions and redundancies.