Overview

• Starmer removed the whip from Rachael Maskell, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Neil Duncan-Jordan after they voted against his watered-down welfare bill.
• The suspended MPs will sit as independents and are barred from standing as Labour candidates at the next election unless the whip is restored.
• Their suspension follows a 47-MP revolt in June over proposed cuts to disability and sickness benefits that forced two government U-turns.
• Several backbenchers and unions condemned the decision as heavy-handed and warned it could deepen rifts within the party.
• Starmer said the move was essential to enforce discipline and ensure delivery of his government’s flagship welfare agenda.