13 December 2016

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has said he will consider looking into further anti-trade union legislation following today's ASLEF and RMT strikes against Southern Rail.

Asked on the BBC's Today Programme whether the law might change to prevent industrial action on the rail network, the Tory minister replied: "I think there is a lot of things after this is over that we are going to have to take a careful look at because we can’t leave our railways exposed."

He also described ASLEF and RMT as "militant" unions and called this week's strike "palpable nonsense" and politically motivated.

ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said: "The strikes this week are not, whatever Mr Grayling tries to suggest, politically motivate. We have a trade dispute with GTR/Southern, and only a poor government would seek to spin it any other way. I think their motives are clear."