TRAIN drivers called on ministers to “strip” beleaguered Southern Rail from its owners yesterday.

Drivers’ union Aslef said the company had “peddled misleading press statements” over negotiations to end the long-running dispute over driver-only trains.

Southern’s owners GTR claimed that the union had turned down an offer which would see members earn £75,000 a year. However Aslef said this was misleading as the figure included overtime which was unlikely to be guaranteed by the company.

The union’s general secretary Mick Whelan said: “It is indefensible that Southern and the inept Department for Transport continue to peddle misinformation.

“The company relies on drivers working voluntary overtime to run at least 25 per cent of its services, while we, as a union, strive for full employment.

“We are disgusted and will be asking for Southern to be stripped of the franchise.”