Labour MP Karl Turner suspended by party after leading rebellion over plan to limit jury trials and criticising Keir Starmer
A leading Labor leader who criticized the Government’s plans for a major restriction on the right to trial by jury was suspended by the party today.
Karl Turner, 54, was leading the internal opposition to David Lammy’s proposal to allow juries to hear only the most serious criminal cases in a bid to reduce a huge backlog.
Following his suspension, the Hull East MP said he ‘will not shy away from speaking truth to power when it matters’ and said his only concern is improving the court service.
The government faced considerable opposition from its own backbenchers on the legislation, including Mr Turner. He branded it ‘useless, unpopular, unfair and unnecessary’ in a debate in the Commons earlier this month.
But he has also touched on a variety of other issues in recent weeks that have affected the Government and the Prime Minister’s handling of them.
HE He questioned the circumstances surrounding the theft of a phone belonging to the Prime Minister’s former private secretary, Morgan McSweeney, which may have contained messages relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s time as US ambassador.
He made his brand Sir Keir Starmer’s former aide is ‘McSwindle’ and accused the Prime Minister of ‘treating voters like idiots’ in an LBC interview recorded just before his sacking.
The Mail understands Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds told him he was suspending the whip ‘following his recent behaviour’.
But Mr Turner, writing about X, said: ‘I was told that the whips were suspended but I received no notice of this from the whips. Apparently it was told to journalists but not to me.’
He later added: ‘This clearly relates to my stance in the jury trials, where I offered what I believed to be firm but fair criticism.
‘I will not shy away from speaking truth to power when it matters.’
The Kingston upon Hull East MP (54) has repeatedly opposed David Lammy’s proposal that juries should only be allowed to hear the most serious criminal cases.
Under plans put in place by Justice Minister Mr Lammy, criminal cases likely to attract a prison sentence of three years or less will not be subject to jury trials.
‘‘Jury trials are a cornerstone of our democracy and a vital safeguard for our justice system.’
Mr Turner also addressed reports of his interview with campaigner Jody McIntyre, who is running against Labor’s Jess Phillips in the 2024 election.
He said: ‘I was unaware of the interviewer’s broad views at the time and if I had known then what I know now I would not have attended. I have already requested that my comments be corrected where they were misrepresented.
‘Despite this difference of opinion, I want to build bridges with my party, the Prime Minister and the Government.
‘I want to help repair our justice system and ensure this Labor Government delivers the change the people elected us to achieve.
Under plans put in place by Justice Minister Mr Lammy, criminal cases likely to attract a prison sentence of three years or less will not be subject to jury trials.
Under proposed changes to the Courts and Tribunals Bill, they are to be heard by a single crown court judge.
Action against Mr Turner will also raise questions about what might happen to other critics within the party.
MP Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North) is also among those criticizing the change, saying ministers are using victims as ‘sticks’ to push through reforms.
The government was preparing for a rebellion, but most of those with concerns chose to abstain at the second reading of the Courts and Tribunals Bill on 10 March.
Ten Labor MPs voted against the bill, all from the far left of the party. Mr. Turner and Miss Nicholls were not among them; The Hull MP said he wanted to see if the law could be amended rather than blocking it entirely.
Earlier this month Mr Turner told Times Radio: ‘I won’t be bullied. I will not be threatened with suspension.
‘I’m already issuing a behavioral warning for daring to say these proposals are ridiculous. I won’t be bullied around me.
‘If my parliamentary Labor leader, Prime Minister, party leader or anyone else doesn’t want me in the party anymore, that’s fine. I don’t mind marching and causing a by-election.
‘But I’ll just tell them this, be a bit careful because the truth is, if God came down from the sky wearing a red badge right now, God wouldn’t be elected as a Labor MP.’
