An outspoken critic of the government’s plan to restrict jury trials to the most serious offences has had the Labour whip suspended.
Karl Turner, a barrister, has been a thorn in the government’s side over the plans, which will see defendants tried by magistrates or a judge-only court if they are likely to be sentenced to a term of under three years in prison.
The former shadow attorney general has previously described the policy as “undemocratic” and accused justice secretary David Lammy of being “untruthful” to say the plan is about reducing the court backlog.
It is understood that Mr Turner was informed by chief whip Jonathan Reynolds that the whip was being suspended “following his recent conduct”.
But posting to social media after his suspension was reported, Mr Turner claimed he was not formally notified of his removal from the Labour parliamentary party.
“I am being told that I have had the whip suspended but I have not had any notification from the whips about this. It seems journalists have been told but I have not”, he said.
As well as leading Labour resistance on the jury trial issue, Mr Turner has also questioned the circumstances surrounding the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s mobile phone, an incident which means the PM’s former chief of staff may not be able to hand over messages relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Referring to Mr McSweeney, the MP for Kingston upon Hull East posted to social media last week: “I don’t believe McSwindle had his iPhone stolen.”
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