Need to know
The Hull East MP is now an Independent in the House of Commons
Karl Turner, MP for Hull East(Image: Donna Clifford/HullLive)
Everything we know about MP Karl Turner’s suspension from the Labour Party
- The MP for Hull East, Karl Turner, has been suspended from the Labour Party. Mr Turner was first elected to Parliament at the 2010 General Election after John Prescott retired as an MP, ending his 40 years in Westminster. Mr Turner was re-elected in 2015, 2017, 2019, and most recently in 2024.
- In recent months, Mr Turner has been highly critical of the Labour Government over a number of issues, namely its controversial proposals to scrap jury trials for offences carrying a likely prison sentence of three years or less. The plans, which the Government say are to tackle a record backlog of cases, have previously been described as “ludicrous” by Mr Turner, who is himself a former barrister. Mr Turner was also critical of the decision not to let Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier in the year. The Hull MP has recently raised questions over the theft of a phone belonging to Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. Mr McSweeney’s work phone, containing potentially sensitive messages to Lord Peter Mandelson, was stolen last October.
- It is understood that Mr Turner was informed by the Chief Whip, Jonathan Reynolds, on March 31 that he’d had the Labour whip suspended, with the decision to be reviewed at a later date. The Press Association reported the whip was suspended “following his recent conduct.” Initially Mr Turner took to X, where he said: “I’ve been a loyal Labour MP for 16 years and have only broken the whip on jury trials. I’m disappointed to be suspended without prior discussion. I’ll always stand up for justice, my principles, and East Hull.” His suspension from the party means that Mr Turner will remain as the MP for Hull East, but will now act as an Independent.
- Mr Turner later published a statement in which he again stated he had the whip removed “without any prior verbal communication.” In his statement he again criticised the Government’s proposed jury reforms, whilst stating: “Despite this disagreement, I want to build bridges with my party, the Prime Minister, and the Government.” You can read the full statement here.
- Mr Turner’s solicitor, Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, also published a statement in which he 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.” Mr Hudgell added: “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.”
- The Labour Party has declined the opportunity to specifically respond to both Mr Turner and Mr Hudgell’s statements.
