Abbott slams Starmer’s ‘refusal’ to back striking staff

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Diane Abbott blasted the Labour leader after he dodged giving his full support to strikers.

In a round of regional radio interviews Sir Keir was asked three times on BBC Radio Devon whether he would back the Royal College of Nurses, which is recommending its 300,000 members vote for strike action.

He said: “I completely understand why people are concerned and are considering industrial action.”

But he added: “I don’t want the strikes to go ahead. My wife works in the NHS – the last thing that anybody who works in the NHS wants is to go on strike.”

His remarks put him on a collision course with Labour’s hard Left. Corbynite Ms Abbott hit out at Sir Keir for refusing to show he was on the side of the strikers.

She tweeted: “Keir Starmer refuses to back striking workers. But if Labour won’t support workers in struggle what is it for?”

In July Sir Keir triggered dismay by ordering his MPs to stay away from picket lines.

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