Sir Keir Starmer has suspended at least three MPs for repeated breaches of party discipline, Sky News understands.
Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Neil Duncan-Jordan have lost the whip, meaning they are no longer part of Labour’s parliamentary party and will sit as independent MPs.
A fourth MP, Rachel Maskell, is currently in meetings with party whips.
All four had voted against the government’s welfare reforms earlier this month. However, it’s understood this isn’t the only reason behind the decision.
Over 100 MPs had initially rebelled against the plan to cut personal independent payments (pip). Ultimately 47 voted against the bill’s third reading, after it was watered down significantly in the face of backlash.
The three suspended MPs were all newly elected in 2024.
Mr Hinchliff, for North East Hertfordshire, told local media in June that he was willing to lose the whip over the welfare reforms. He also proposed a series of amendments to the flagship planning and infrastructure criticising the government’s approach.
Politics latest: Starmer suspends Labour MPs for ‘repeated breaches of party discipline’
Starmer says former Tory ministers have ‘serious questions to answer’ over Afghan data breach
Who will take the fall for the Afghan cover-up?
Mr Duncan-Jordan, the MP for Poole, led a rebellion against the cut to the winter fuel payments while Alloa and Grangemouth MP Mr Leishman has been critical of the government’s position on Gaza.
In a statement, Mr Duncan-Jordan told Sky News that he understood speaking out against benefit cuts would “come at a cost” but said he “couldn’t support making disabled people poorer”.
He added: “Although I’ve been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party today, I’ve been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years and remain as committed as ever to its values.
“To my constituents: it’s business as usual. I remain your hardworking local MP, I will continue to take up your concerns and speak up for Poole.”
Mr Leishman echoed that sentiment, saying that despite his suspension he is “a proud Labour member” and remains “committed to the party”.
“I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences,” he said.
“It is the honour of my life to be the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, and my priority remains representing and fighting for constituents, whether they voted for me or not.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the latest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
