Brandon Lewis criticised for using train driver salaries in strike interview day after Johnson did same thing

Brandon Lewis said train drivers are earning between £56,000 and £70,000 - but the union that represents most of them is not on strike

Brandon Lewis said the public want to see a resolution to the dispute between RMT and the train companies (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) (PA Media)

Brandon Lewis has been criticised for referring to train driver’s salaries while discussing the RMT rail strike - just a day after Boris Johnson did the same thing.

The Northern Ireland secretary appeared on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme where he said train drivers were earning between £56,000 and £70,000.

He added that the dispute - which prompted industrial action on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - is an “issue between the employer and unions” and that people want to see a resolution.