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Postal leaders attack Mandelson Postal leaders attack Mandelson
(about 1 hour later)
The postal workers' union has attacked Lord Mandelson over his handling of the dispute behind two 24-hour strikes. The union represnting postal staff has attacked Lord Mandelson's handling of the dispute behind two 24-hour strikes.
The Communication Workers' Union accused the business secretary of working with Royal Mail management to "undermine the dispute".The Communication Workers' Union accused the business secretary of working with Royal Mail management to "undermine the dispute".
CWU chief Billy Hayes called him the "minister without responsibility" - on Tuesday Lord Mandelson said the strike would be "totally self defeating". CWU leader Billy Hayes called him the "minister without responsibility" - on Tuesday Lord Mandelson said the strikes would be "totally self defeating".
Strikes are to begin at 0400 over pay, conditions and modernisation plans. The strikes from midnight are over pay, conditions and modernisation plans.
Government sources said the strikes were "a tragic matter" and said the CWU had launched personal attacks on Lord Mandelson before.Government sources said the strikes were "a tragic matter" and said the CWU had launched personal attacks on Lord Mandelson before.
ANALYSIS Chief political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg
Gordon Brown said he did not want the postal strikes to be in the political arena. Well, the union retort to that tonight was an extraordinary attack on Lord Mandelson.
The CWU accused him of working with Royal Mail management to undermine talks. Its general secretary even branded Lord Mandelson the "minister without responsibility", saying he had washed his hands of the dispute, and had essentially colluded with the Royal Mail to allow the strikes to proceed.
Sources close to Lord Mandelson said the strikes were "tragic" and said the CWU had targeted him before to deflect attention from the dispute.
The government has consistently urged the two sides to get together and talk but tonight they find themselves facing criticisms from the unions and the Conservatives - both accusing ministers of allowing the strikes to go ahead. UK postal strike is to go ahead Leaders clash over postal dispute
CWU deputy leader Dave Ward also said the Royal Mail had no intention of resolving the dispute and seemed intent on "sidelining" the concerns of postal workers.
He said he believed progress had been made during marathon talks this week but claimed every time progress had been made, "external forces" had deliberately attempted to undermine the chances of a deal.
Singling out three men, Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson, Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier and Lord Mandelson, he said: "What we have seen in the last few days is a deliberate choreograph that tells us that the government and the Royal Mail are working hand in hand to avert any chances of reaching a solution."
He claimed the "real truth behind this dispute is that Lord Mandelson clearly feels it is pay-back time because we defeated him on privatisation".
In a statement Lord Mandelson said of the strikes:" I deeply regret this decision. National strike action is not in the best interests of the company, the workforce or the hard-pressed consumers and businesses that depend on Royal Mail.
"In the meantime, the government will ensure that vital services to the public, especially those who are most vulnerable, are maintained."
In the Commons earlier, Conservative leader David Cameron accused the prime minister of lacking the "courage and leadership" to intervene in the dispute.
Mr Cameron suggested that the government's failure to push ahead with plans to part-privatise Royal Mail, in the face of opposition from Labour MPs and the CWU, had meant "union militancy has got worse".
He said: "This trade union can sense weakness and they see weakness in this prime minister and this government."
Mr Brown said the bill to part-privatise Royal Mail had nothing to do with the postal dispute, which dated back to 2007. He also accused Mr Cameron of bringing industrial relations "into the political arena".