THE government has been accused of misleading the public over claims it has no role in negotiations to end rail strikes which have crippled the network across Britain this week.

Statements from the government that the dispute was just between rail operators and unions have been undermined by independent legal advice on the matter, the TUC said after it commissioned the legal advice.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has “overarching direction and control” over how the strike is handled by rail operators which include “very extensive powers” over what can be agreed between rail operators and unions, the legal advice from Michael Ford QC of Old Square Chambers said.