Two Labour frontbenchers defy Keir Starmer’s order not to join rail workers on picket line

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It comes after a leaked memo from the Labour leader’s office provoked fury among unions, including Unite, whose general secretary warned the party last night: “You don’t lead by hiding”. The memo sent by Sir Keir’s office, seen by Politics Home, said frontbenchers should “expect severe disruption this week as the result of industrial action” by the the RMT, with widespread cancellations throughout the week. “Please speak to all the members of your team to remind them of this and confirm with me that you have done so.” But Kate Osborne, a parliamentary aide to shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle, joined striking workers in Bromley, south-east London, saying: “I’m a trade unionist, I will always stand on the side of the workers.” Responding to the leaked memo on Monday evening, she added: “Labour was formed by the trade union movement to give working people a political voice.” Navendu Mishra — an opposition whip — also posted a photograph alongside striking workers on Tuesday morning, saying: “This treacherous government has underfunded & mismanaged our public transport network for more than a decade. “As a proud trade unionist, I stand with all workers on our railway network who are taking industrial action to fight for their jobs & keep passengers safe.” The Independent understands the party’s chief whip, Alan Campbell, will deal with issues relating to any disciplinary action of those defying the Labour leader’s office oders, after the industrial action has ended at the weekend.