Top Tory accused of using Putin's war to not give nurses a pay rise in real terms

Conservative President Nadhim Zahawi has urged NHS staff to send a 'message' to the Russian leader as tens of thousands of nurses prepare to go on strike in ten days" time in a dispute over wages and working conditions

Nadhim Zahawi's comments come as tens of thousands of nurses prepare to strike (

Image: Alastair Grant/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Top conservative Nadhim Zahawi has been accused of using Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine as a 'justification' to give nurses a pay cut in real terms.

The Conservative Party chairman has urged NHS staff to send a 'message' to the Russian tyrant, whose invasion has been blamed for driving up energy prices.

It comes as tens of thousands of nurses are set to go on strike in ten days and on December 20 in a bitter dispute over pay and working conditions.

Last week, paramedics also voted for industrial action and thousands are expected to step down later this month.

Asked about a wave of strikes set to hit Britain, Mr Zahawi told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "We have to unite.

Tens of thousands of nurses will go on strike in ten days (

Picture:

SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

"Now is not the time to divide to hopefully send a very clear message to Mr. Putin that he cannot weaponize energy in this way and we will stand together , which is why we accepted NHS and school pay review bodies and others.”

He said that the Russian president is using "energy as a weapon because he is failing so badly in his illegal war in Ukraine".

Speaking on Sunday, the Conservative President also confirmed contingency plans for...