Four rebel Labour MPs suspended by Starmer

SIR KEIR Starmer has carried out a purge of troublesome back benchers as he suspended a number of MPs.

- CAITLIN DOHERTY, DAVID HUGHES and CHRISTOPHER McKEON

Rachael Maskell, who spearheaded plans to halt the UK Government's welfare reforms, has lost the whip, alongside Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff.

All voted against the UK Government's benefits reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all aside from Ms Maskell were first elected at last year’s election.

The York Central MP said she had been suspended for “standing up for my constituents” over the benefits plans.

Ms Maskell said she had had a “positive conversation” with the chief whip, adding: “He knows my heart and why I did what I did.

“I explained there are lines I can’t cross because of where I come from in politics with my faith.”