Union suspends Deputy PM over handling of bin strikes

DEPUTY Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been suspended from membership of the union Unite over the Government's handling of the Birmingham bin strikes.

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The move comes after a vote by Unite members at their conference in Brighton, where they condemned the Labour-run council in Birmingham, and the Government, for their approach to the bin workers.

Despite the union's vote, a source close to Ms Rayner said she had already resigned membership of Unite some months ago.

But in a sign of a growing divide between the major union and Labour, Unite also voted to "reexamine its relationship" with the party.