Striking train drivers earning £60,000 accused of ‘cultural vandalism’ by ‘targeting’ Eurovision and FA Cup

STRIKING train drivers earning £60,000 have been accused of “cultural vandalism” by “cynically targeting” the Eurovision and FA Cup finals.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper says it is “inexplicable” that a £5,000 pay rise offer has not been put to Aslef members for a vote ahead of strikes next month.

The Eurovision final in Liverpool on May 13 and Man United vs Man City at Wembley on June 3 face travel chaos, with the ­minister urging coach and bus services to “step up”.

But in a marked escalation in tensions with union bosses, he suggested they should show “solidarity” with Ukrainian train workers killed by Russian bombs.

He told Times Radio: “It’s not our Eurovision, we’re hosting it for Ukraine. I’ve met the head of Ukrainian railways and Putin is targeting their railways.

“Hundreds of railway workers in Ukraine have been killed.

“And I would have thought that the executive of rail unions in Britain would have wanted to show some solidarity and will protect events like Eurovision that we’re hosting for Ukraine rather than cynically targeting it.

“So I’d say to them, put the offer that’s been made to you to your members, let your members decide, call off your strikes.”

He added that a similar pay offer had been put to a vote by the RMT, whose members “voted for it with a big turnout in favour, which suggests that it is a fair and reasonable offer”.