FORMER Labour Party chair Harriet Yeo faced accusations today of “betraying the working class” by jumping aboard the Ukip bandwagon.

Rail union TSSA president Mick Carney levelled the accusation at his predecessor after she “lent” support to Nigel Farage’s right-wing party last week.

Ms Yeo held the top TSSA position from 2011 to 2013 and also served as chair of the Labour Party’s national executive committee.

She sensationally broke with Labour over its position on the EU, saying she would vote Ukip in May because a referendum is the party’s “fundamental mission.”

But the Morning Star reported how she jumped ship just days after being stripped of her role as Labour group leader on Ashford council by colleagues.

Writing in the Morning Star today, Mr Carney said the timing of her defection had more to do with her deselection by colleagues over her record of non-attendance of meetings.

And he added: “I do believe however her biggest betrayal to her working-class electorate was to walk straight into the arms of Ukip.

“Ukip does not represent the views that I or many within the trade union movement stand for.

“It is a nasty right-wing party, rich City-based financial backers and openly hostile to trade unions.

“The only purpose these defections serve is to offer credibility to a political party that deserves none.”

Mr Carney also criticises Labour’s Kent councillors for reacting to the defection by issuing a leaflet promising to “tackle immigration.

“The Labour Party especially should take a long hard look at themselves,” he argued.

“Quotes about tightening borders and being ‘soft on immigrants’ help no-one.”