New headache for Keir after his MPs meet bosses behind chaos

SIR Keir Starmer was facing fresh questions about the influence of union barons on his party last night as it emerged that three senior Labour MPs have held talks with bosses of Aslef – the train drivers’ union behind Saturday’s rail strikes.

Louise Haigh, the party’s transport spokesman, posted online about holding talks with Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan over the weekend.

Barry Gardiner, the former international trade spokesman, visited Aslef’s central London head office in May for talks with the union’s senior officials.

Meanwhile, Tan Dhesi, Labour’s rail spokesman, held talks with Mr Whelan in his office last year. Labour leader Sir Keir has repeatedly failed to condemn striking rail workers, with his party divided over the issue. Aslef has donated £404,897 to Labour since 2017.

The union brought vast swathes of the rail network to a halt on Saturday in a row over pay, with Mr Gardiner and fellow Labour MP Dawn Butler joining Mr Whelan and striking workers on a picket line at Willesden Junction in north London.

Tory MP Chris Loder said: ‘This should show Labour up for what they really are – on the side of unions, not passengers.’