Hull Labour MP has whip restored
The outspoken politician was not happy with proposals to restrict jury trials in England and Wales
Hull East MP Karl Turner has had the Labour whip restored on a ‘probationary basis’ following his suspension from the parliamentary party earlier this year. The long-serving member of parliament was suspended in March of this year after strongly criticising government policy around jury trials.
The outspoken politician was not happy with proposals to restrict jury trials in England and Wales. However, in a joint statement agreed with the party leadership, he has now offered a public apology and expressed his desire to ‘move forward’.
Having the whip removed suspends a politician from their parliamentary party – and while they keep their seat in the House Of Commons, they are forced to sit as an independent. Karl Turner being reinstated means he is now an official member of the Labour Party’s parliamentary group again. It means he is once again expected to follow the party line and receive instructions from his party on upcoming parliamentary votes.
It also means he is eligible to stand as an official Labour candidate in any possible future elections. His party’s new leader, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is taking a ‘renewed’ approach to managing disagreements, according to Mr Turner.
“I want to take this opportunity to apologise and reflect on the offence I may have caused colleagues in recent months. With the party under new leadership and a renewed approach to managing differences of opinion, I am keen to move forward positively and draw a line under this episode,” he said.
While the Hull East MP maintains that his underlying principles around crime and justice remain completely genuine, he now admits he was too strident in his delivery and his criticism of Labour’s previous leader, Sir Keir Starmer, had crossed a line.
“My concerns regarding plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales were sincerely held and reflected my long-standing commitment to justice and the rule of law,” he said.
“However, I acknowledge that, in advancing those arguments, my approach was sometimes overly robust and that my words or actions caused offence to colleagues.”
A welcome return – but on a ‘probationary’ basis
The decision follows lengthy discussions with party officials who are now keen to move forward ‘positively’. A Labour Party spokesperson made clear Mr Turner’s readmission was on a ‘probationary’ basis.
“Following discussions with the government chief whip, Karl Turner MP has had the Labour whip restored on a probationary basis,” the spokesperson explained.
“The chief whip welcomes Karl Turner’s constructive engagement and his acknowledgement that aspects of his behaviour, actions and public comments fell short of the standards expected of Labour MPs. We welcome his public apology and the undertakings he has given regarding his future conduct. We now look forward to moving ahead positively, with Karl Turner continuing to contribute as a Labour MP.”
Mr Turner was first elected as an MP for Hull East at the general election in May 2010, succeeding the constituency’s famous long-serving MP, John Prescott.
He was born in Hull and left Bransholme High School at 16 years old, later studying business administration before working as a self-employed antiques dealer. Mr Turner returned to education as a mature student at Hull College, studying law and qualifying as a barrister.
Since entering Parliament more than 16 years ago, he has served in several frontbench opposition roles, including Shadow Attorney General, Shadow Minister for Justice, and Shadow Minister for Transport.