Hull East MP Karl Turner has Labour whip suspended after jury reform criticism

Hull East MP Karl Turner has had the Labour whip suspended after his outspoken criticism of the government’s planned reforms of jury trials.

Turner has been the most vocal in challenging the government over the proposals to restrict jury trials to more serious offences as part of an effort to reduce backlogs in the court system, leading a rebellion against the plans last month.

It is understood that Turner was informed by the chief whip earlier today of his suspension, following his “recent conduct”.

Turner had previously said that he would be prepared to lose the whip or even stand down as an MP over his opposition to the jury reforms.

Following reports in the press of his suspension, Turner posted on social media: “I am being told that I have had the whip suspended but I have not had any notification from the whips about this. It seems journalists have been told but I have not.”

LabourList understands that the decision to suspend Turner will be “reviewed at a later date”.

Turner is the latest in a series of Labour MPs to have the whip removed after voting against the government, although all have since been reinstated.

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