LESBIANS and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) legend Mike Jackson hailed yesterday Usdaw’s backing for the campaign to save Britain’s last three coal mines. Delegates at retail and distribution union Usdaw’s conference unanimously called on the government to nationalise the Kellingley, Thoresby and worker-owned Hatfield collieries.

West Midlands Sainsbury’s worker Joan Samuels said it would save over 1,000 jobs — and stop British households becoming reliant on expensive Russian coal imports.

Former garden centre worker Mr Jackson, who remains a member of Usdaw, praised his union’s solidarity for the ongoing pit dispute. “I’m very pleased to see my union supporting the nationalisation of Britain’s last three mines,” he said. And he implored trade unions to “hold on” to the importance of their role in liberating LGBT people across the world.

National Union of Mineworkers delegates were crucial to pushing through motions on LGBT rights at Labour and TUC conference in 1985.

“I just think it’s amazing to think back historically that the fact is that the reason we have LGBT emancipation in Britain today is because of a direct intervention of miners. How fantastic!” he said.

“That’s not just in Britain, but across the world, because once that started to roll in Britain it went across the world.”Mr Jackson and other original LGSM members have been invited to take part in this year’s Durham Miners Gala.