Sam Tarry has been sacked from his role as junior shadow transport minister after he disobeyed orders from Labor MPs not to show up on pickets during Wednesday’s rail strike. He said Sky News workers should be offered pay rises in line with inflation – but Labour’s position is that pay negotiations are for unions and ministers. Speaking for the first time since his sacking, Sir Keir explained: “Sam Tarry was sacked for booking media programs without a license and then making policy on the hoof. “This cannot be tolerated in any organization because we have a collective responsibility, so this was relatively simple.” “Certainly in terms of labor action, I completely understand the frustration of so many workers who have seen prices go up, seen inflation through the roof and their wages haven’t gone up. “So Labor will always be on the side of workers, but we need collective responsibility like any organisation.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 7:52 Labor Secretary defies Starmer Earlier, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who is still an MP, told Sky News he supported Mr Tarry’s position and criticized Sir Keir for sacking him. He said it was a “serious mistake” as the Labor Party was created by the unions “so when the unions have a fair cause, we support them – and that is a fair cause”. Some in the party believe Mr Tarry was pushing Sir Keir to sack him to help him fight a de-selection battle. Wards in Tarry’s Ilford South constituency voted unanimously for a full re-election, meaning he is likely to lose his seat. Mr Tarry won the east London seat in 2019 after local council leader Jas Athwal, who was also due to stand, was expelled from the party shortly before the vote over misconduct allegations. Mr Athwal was subsequently cleared after a nearly year-long internal investigation, but has spoken of how it badly affected him.
