USDAW general secretary Paddy Lillis has defended his legacy and vowed to continue supporting Labour after he retires in July.

The 67-year-old said that he was only stepping back after reversing the devastating 77,000 decline in the retail union’s membership during the Covid-19 pandemic and because of his confidence in Sir Keir Starmer’s government.

Mr Lillis, who began union work as a shop steward 43 years ago and has been on the Usdaw staff for 36 years, said that he had planned to retire two years ago, but ”it’s still strange — a bit surreal.”