FBU general secretary Matt Wrack reiterated that it is not the fire service’s job to police demonstrations on behalf of the government, in a speech on the union’s unwavering solidarity with Palestine today. 

Speaking at the annual FBU conference in Blackpool, Mr Wrack said: “There is no contradiction between fighting for pay and  pensions for our members, and fighting for the rights of the Palestinian people, no contradiction at all.”

Mr Wrack also added that the FBU makes “no apology” for calling out Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the stance he took at the start of the conflict, and Labour’s delays in adjusting their position.