Shapps says it is ‘crazy’ to suggest Tories want rail strikes to go ahead

Transport secretary responds to Keir Starmer's claim government wants to feed off division of RMT action

Grant Shapps has said it is crazy" to suggest the Tories want rail unions to go on strike this week, as Labour accused the government of encouraging the walkouts to go ahead to stoke division.

The transport secretary said the strikes by 40,000 rail workers, which is due to affect services across much of the country from Monday night, were unnecessary" and a result of trade union leaders gunning for" a fight. He accused RMT of planning to punish millions of innocent people".