Scots MP one of the suspended Labour 4

SIR Keir Starmer suspended four rebel backbenchers in the wake of the damaging welfare revolt, as he tried to regain control of his party.

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Brian Leishman, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff and Rachael Maskell had the Labour whip withdrawn after being accused by a party source of “persistent k***headery”.

All four had rebelled against attempts to cut the UK’s ballooning benefits budget. They must now sit as independent MPs until the whip is restored.

The expulsions come just before the summer recess, suggesting the Prime Minister wants to deliver a stark warning to other potential rebels before their return after the summer.