Labour has suspended Karl Turner, the MP for Hull East, from the parliamentary party, removing the whip following comments deemed “uncollegiate,” the party confirmed.
Turner, a backbench MP who has frequently criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer and government policy, will now sit in the House of Commons as an independent. Sources said the suspension relates to his behaviour towards colleagues, rather than his policy criticisms, and follows a “pattern of behaviour” that Labour claims necessitated disciplinary action.
The MP has previously received written warnings from the party. Government sources described Turner’s recent comments about colleagues as “uncollegiate,” prompting the chief whip to remove the whip with immediate effect. The decision will remain under review.
In a post on X, Turner expressed disappointment over the suspension, saying he had asked the chief whip, via his solicitor, for a “full explanation.” He insisted that his criticism of the government’s policy on jury trials – including proposals to limit jury trials in England and Wales – was “robust but fair” and unrelated to his conduct towards colleagues.
Turner said he remains loyal to the Labour Party and intends to continue advocating for policies he believes protect the most vulnerable. “My commitment to the Labour Party is unchanged. My loyalty remains, but so does my determination to stand up for what is right,” he said.
The MP added he hopes to “build bridges with my party, the prime minister and the government,” stressing that he would continue speaking out against the proposed reforms. Turner has been one of the government’s most vocal opponents on jury trial limits, arguing that changes could undermine fairness in the justice system.
Labour insiders said the decision was necessary to maintain party discipline in Parliament. They highlighted that Turner’s conduct represented a recurring pattern that risked undermining internal cohesion. Turner’s suspension underlines the challenges faced by the party in balancing freedom of expression for backbench MPs with maintaining a united front on controversial policy issues.
