Three Labour MPs suspended for breaches of party discipline

Sir Keir Starmer has suspended four MPs for repeated breaches of party discipline, Sky News understands.

Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell have lost the whip, meaning they are no longer part of Labour's parliamentary party and will sit as independent MPs.

The suspension is indefinite pending a review.

Three other MPs have had their trade envoy roles removed: Rosena Allin Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammed Yasin.

Politics Live: Suspended MPs defend thier voting record

All seven 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.

Ms Maskell was one of the lead rebels in the welfare revolt, and has more recently called for a wealth tax to fund the U-turn.

The York Central MP was elected in 2015, while the three other suspended MPs were part of the new intake at the general election last year.

Mr Hinchliff, for North East Hertfordshire, has proposed a series of amendments to the flagship planning and infrastructure criticising the government's approach.

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".

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 added.

The suspensions will be seen as an attempt to restore discipline following a number of rebellions that has forced the government into U-turns.

As well as watering down the welfare bill, some cuts to the winter fuel payment have been reversed, leaving Chancellor Rachel Reeves with a fiscal blackhole to fill.

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