07:07

Supporters of the doctors strike, including Vanessa Redgrave, have gathered at Whitehall, with colourful banners. A doctors choir joined the crowd as well as activists who chanted: “We don’t want your sexist racist cuts”.

Vanessa Redgrave addressed supporters of the doctors strike in Whitehall and said “the doctors are being treated like dirt” and said the government was “mad” for imposing the contract.



Aisha S Gani (@aishagani) Vanessa Redgrave speaking and said doctors have been treated like dirt pic.twitter.com/02O7XdYB8c

Rebecca Pinnington (@beckypinners) Vanessa Redgrave was trying to make a speech, interrupted by chanting protesters #JuniorDoctorsStrike pic.twitter.com/baGSt44rY1

Aisling Leyden a campaigner for Care2, which organised the petition, said, outside the Department of Health, before handing in a petition signed by 120,000 people:



I started the petition for Care2. My younger sister is a junior doctor, and I care about the working conditionS but the concern I have is that I think this an obvious attempt to dismantle the NHS. It’s not okay the way the government is spinning and it’s an enforced contract which is medieval.

Beth Granter also campaigner at Care 2 said:

The petition has 120,000 and nobody wants to be treated by an exhausted doctor and this increase in working hours and the public knows this and why they are striking.