Sir Keir Starmer faces possible revolt after sacking Angela Rayner's partner Sam Tarry MP for attending strike

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing a potential rebellion from his party after sacking Sam Tarry for attending a rail strike.

Mr Tarry, who is in a relationship with deputy party leader and Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner, was fired from his senior role as shadow transport minister after he publicly backed the rail strikes by attending a picket line without permission from his party's headquarters. However, Sir Keir has faced a wave of backlash from both the unions and the left-wing of his own party for the move.

John McDonnell said in an interview with Sky News that it was a "severe mistake" while also accusing Sir Keir of "misreading the mood of the public". Officially, Labour does not publicly support the rail strikes, however, it has criticised the government while urging ministers to become involved in negotiations.

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The MP for Hayes and Harlington 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.”

He added: “This is an unnecessary dispute and whoever has advised Keir Starmer on this, I think he has made a severe mistake.”

Asked about the general strike proposed by RMT general secretary Mick Lynch, the Labour former shadow chancellor said: “If you look at the ballots that are taking place across the trade union movement, we are talking about millions of workers now voting for industrial action. So, naturally, what people are saying as well, why not