The leader of the Unite union says Labour is not defending working people and they are turning away from the party "in droves". Sharon Graham said Labour should be "seriously concerned" after the union voted to potentially rethink its relationship with the party, which could result in it formally cutting ties and funding.

Unite, the UK’s largest union, has moved to suspend deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and re-examine its relationship with Labour, in a blow to the government as it battles to retain ties with the left wing of the party.

The Labour party’s biggest affiliate trade union, Unite, has suspended Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, as a dispute over a strike gripping the city of Birmingham deepens.