Outraged MPs have called for a militant leader of junior doctors to be sacked for going on holiday during the most disruptive strike in NHS history.
The British Medical Association (BMA) last night called on the Government to attend talks with conciliation service Acas as they seek a 35 per cent pay rise, worth up to £20,000.
But Dr. Robert Laurenson, co-chairman of the union’s junior doctors committee, was criticized for taking a week off to attend a friend’s wedding, preventing him from attending negotiations.
The trainee GP, 28, played a key role in planning the four-day strike, during which up to 47,600 doctors below consultant rank are refusing to provide any services, including emergency and cancer care.
While young doctors who do not show up for work when scheduled will lose their salary, those who are absent because they had booked it as a vacation will receive their pay.
Troubled waters: Union leader Dr. Robert Laurenson went on vacation during strike
Dr. Robert Laurenson, co-chairman of the union’s junior doctors committee, was criticized for taking a week off to attend a friend’s wedding, which prevented him from attending negotiations.
Dr Laurenson played a key role in planning the four-day strike, during which up to 47,600 doctors below the rank of consultant refuse to provide any services.
Conservative MP Mike Penning called for Dr Laurenson to be sacked for his “hypocrisy”.
He said: ‘You can’t tell your members to give up their salaries and go on strike for a big pay rise while you’re booking a holiday, no matter how important the wedding is. Going on vacation during a strike clearly shows that you have no intention of negotiating for your members. You cannot negotiate during a wedding ceremony.
Conservative MP Paul Bristow, a member of the Commons health and social care committee, said: ‘Militant union leaders often demand that their members picket and lose their pay, but conveniently find a reason not to picket themselves. same sacrifice.
“Dr. Laurenson should show solidarity by donating his salary to a fund that supports union members or to a medical charity that can help patients affected by the strike.”
Dr Laurenson was even criticized by his own uncle, who yesterday said he “disagreed” with his nephew’s behaviour.
His uncle, also named Robert Laurenson, 72, a retired podiatrist, added: “They’re going on a four-day strike, why is that?” I have a hernia that is not being treated.
‘I would like a 35 per cent increase in my pension. If they want 35 percent, I want 35 percent. I’ve worked 50 years in my business and I came out with this house, the smallest on the road, I don’t have a five-bedroom house.’
When asked what he thought about his nephew going on vacation just before the strike, he said, “He’s coming out of this.” Get out of the conflict. I am disgusted.’
Conservative MP Mike Penning has called for Dr Laurenson to be sacked for his “hypocrisy”
The NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare organisations, last night called on both the BMA and Health Secretary Steve Barclay to support negotiations “as a matter of urgency”.
Downing Street insisted that talks would only take place if the BMA abandoned its initial position of a 35 per cent pay rise and called off the strikes.
During a trip to Belfast, Rishi Sunak said: “What I am focused on is ensuring we get the right outcome for patients and taxpayers.”
Union sources suggested they would reconsider the 35 per cent pay rise if factors such as tuition fees, student debt and exam fees were taken into account.