JOHN MCDONNELL was among the first recipients of the Fire Brigades Union’s new Solidarity medal today.

Labour’s former shadow chancellor was honoured in front of delegates on the penultimate day of the union’s 2022 conference at Brighton’s Grand Hotel.

The Hayes and Harlington MP said he would “forever cherish” the award from the union, which reaffiliated to Labour soon after Jeremy Corbyn, a key ally of Mr McDonnell, was elected leader in 2015.

The union could be on the verge of reversing that decision, with delegates set to vote on a disaffiliation motion on Friday, amid concerns over the party’s direction under current leader Sir Keir Starmer.  

Mr McDonnell said: “I promised this union that I’d be with you in Parliament and on the picket line — that’s my job and the job of any Labour MP.

“This union is a family, it’s my family and I’m immensely proud to be part of it.”

Referring to Friday’s vote, he said: “I gather you’re not particularly enamoured by Keir Starmer.

“With the disgraceful treatment of my friend and comrade Jeremy Corbyn, I’m not particularly ecstatic with him either.”

Sir Keir is yet to return the Labour whip to the Islington North MP after withdrawing it in November 2020 following a row over anti-semitism within the party. 

Mr McDonnell stressed he would back whatever FBU members decide, adding: “You have the institutional power as a Labour affiliate that you should not give up easily.”

Earlier, Brendan Woodhouse became the first person to receive the award after helping to rescue thousands of refugees crossing the Mediterranean.

In an emotional speech, the FBU member blasted Tory ministers and others across Europe for “orchestrating a crisis which has seen at least 24,000 asylum-seekers drown.”