Karl Turner ‘surprised and disappointed’ to have Labour whip suspended

An outspoken critic of the Government’s plan to restrict jury trials has said he was “surprised and disappointed” to have had the Labour whip suspended.

In a statement shared with the Press Association, Karl Turner, a barrister, insisted he wanted to “build bridges” with the party but it was “clear” the removal was due to his stance on jury trial reforms.

The Press Association understands the Kingston upon Hull East MP was informed by Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds that he was suspending the whip “following his recent conduct”.

Mr Turner, MP for East Hull, said: “I joined the Labour Party at 13 and have been a loyal member ever since.

“In 16 years as a Labour Member of Parliament, I have never broken the whip except on the issue of jury trials.

“That is why I am surprised and disappointed to have been suspended from the Labour whip without any prior verbal communication, and I have written to the Chief Whip, through my solicitor, to seek a full explanation of the reasons behind this decision.

“It is clear this relates to my stance on jury trials, where I have offered what I believe to be robust but fair criticism.

“I will not stand back from speaking truth to power when it matters. Jury trials are a cornerstone of our democracy and a vital safeguard in our justice system.”

Mr Turner also referred to reports regarding an interview he gave to Jody McIntyre, a campaigner who stood at the 2024 elections against Labour’s Jess Phillips.

He said: “At the time, I was unaware of the interviewer’s wider views, and had I known then what I know now, I would not have participated. I have already requested corrections where my comments were misrepresented.

“Despite this disagreement, 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 Labour Government delivers the change people elected us to achieve.

“My commitment to the Labour Party is unchanged. My loyalty remains, but so does my determination to stand up for what is right.

“I will continue to speak out against these proposals because my duty is to act in good faith, according to my principles, and to protect the most vulnerable.”

As well as leading Labour resistance on jury trials, he questioned the circumstances around the theft of the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney’s mobile phone, potentially with messages to Lord Peter Mandelson.

Mr Turner called the former aide to Sir Keir Starmer “McSwindle”.

In his interview with Mr McIntyre, he also appeared to suggest that Mr McSweeney was “still running the job”.

Mr Turner has also been critical of the state of Labour, saying the Gorton and Denton by-election defeat to the Greens was “catastrophic”, blaming the decision to block Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from running for the seat.

But it is as a leading critic of the Courts and Tribunals Bill that he has caused the most difficulty to the Government.

He abstained when the legislation had its first Commons test on March 10, but said he planned amendments to strip the Bill of the “completely unworkable, unpopular, unjust and unnecessary” measures restricting access to a crown court jury trial.

Mr Turner had previously threatened to quit the Commons and trigger a by-election over the proposals, which would see cases with a likely sentence of three years or less being heard by a single crown court judge, and magistrates’ courts taking on cases with a likely sentence of up to two years.

He held his seat in 2024 with a majority of 3,920 over Reform UK.

PA understands the decision to suspend the whip from Mr Turner will be reviewed at a later date.

Neil Hudgell, Mr Turner’s solicitor, said: “We have asked the chief whip to specify the allegations Karl faces.

“We did that in January when the issue first came up, when he simply chose not to respond.

“We have done so again today.

“For a party that prides itself on principles of fairness and open justice, this is not a good day for them.

“It seems they consider themselves above the law with no obligation to explain themselves.

“It cannot be right to suspend someone, not knowing why, and expect them just to carry on, without recognising the risks surrounding that approach.

“It is a dark day for the party when they exhibit such reckless disregard for the wellbeing of loyal and long-standing servants such as Karl.”