Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, urging GTR to agree to talks with the RMT to end the industrial dispute, said:

“I am today asking the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to join with us in urging GTR to urgently accept the offer of RMT to enter into immediate unconditional talks to secure a resolution of the Southern rail dispute.

"If they do that, the industrial action scheduled for Thursday and Friday of this week can be immediately suspended.

“All he needs to do is pick up the phone to GTR and rail services can be restored in time for tomorrow’s rush hour.

“He needs to act immediately. The long suffering passengers will not understand why a Government Minister would do anything other than encourage all parties to embrace this opportunity.”