Several Labour MPs have joined picket lines in a display of solidarity with striking rail workers, despite Keir Starmer warning his frontbench to stay away.

       The Labour leader, who has stopped short of condemning strikers, urged shadow cabinet members to “show leadership” by staying away from the protests.

       However, as the RMT union began three days of strikes that will cripple the rail network, several Labour MPs publicly displayed their support for the action on social media.

       Ian Lavery, the MP for Wansbeck and former chair of the Labour Party, joined a picket in Morpeth and tweeted: “Solidarity with the @RMTunion today and all days.”

       Beth Winter, the Labour MP for Cynon Valley, tweeted: “Complete solidarity with striking @RMTunion members today.

       “The Trades Unions are the organised working class… the workers united will never be defeated.”

       Tahir Ali, the MP for Birmingham Hall Green, said he would be joining pickets later on Tuesday and posted: “Solidarity to all those who are out taking action to protect jobs, ensure safety, and win better pay and conditions.”

       Sir Keir’s calls for his frontbench to distance themselves from the strikes will be seen as an effort to distance himself from his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, who had close ties to the unions.

       On Tuesday morning, Mr Corbyn, who had the whip removed in 2020, and several of his close supporters have shared messages of solidarity with rail workers taking part in the strikes.

       “Solidarity with @RMTunion railway workers striking up and down the country this week,” Mr Corbyn tweeted.

       “We cannot let the profits of the rich continue to grow at the expense of workers’ jobs, wages, conditions, pensions and safety.”

       Angela Rayner, the party's deputy leader, is among the 16 sitting Labour MPs whose local parties have accepted donations from the rail union that is striking on Tuesday, analysis by The Telegraph has shown.

       Diane Abbott, who was shadow home secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, and Matt Rodda, the former pensions minister, also registered donations made by the RMT, either through their local Labour parties or indirectly through the central party.