Karl Turner has Labour whip restored on ‘probationary basis’

Karl Turner has had the Labour whip restored on a “probationary basis” after apologising for “the offence I may have caused colleagues” following public disagreements about Government plans to curb jury trials.

The MP for Hull East said he acknowledged his approach to voicing concerns over the proposals had been “overly robust” at times and he had given “assurances as to my future conduct”.

Mr Turner was suspended from Labour under Sir Keir Starmer after publicly criticising government policy and questioning the circumstances surrounding the theft of ex-No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney’s mobile phone.

In a statement, which he described as “agreed”, the MP said on Wednesday: “I want to take this opportunity to apologise and reflect on the offence I may have caused colleagues in recent months.”

He added: “With the party under new leadership and a renewed approach to managing differences of opinion, I am keen to move forward positively and draw a line under this episode.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Following discussions with the Government Chief Whip, Karl Turner MP has had the Labour whip restored on a probationary basis.

“The Chief Whip welcomes Karl Turner’s constructive engagement and his acknowledgement that aspects of his behaviour, actions and public comments fell short of the standards expected of Labour MPs.

“We welcome his public apology and the undertakings he has given regarding his future conduct.

“We now look forward to moving ahead positively, with Karl Turner continuing to contribute as a Labour MP.”

As well as leading Labour resistance on jury trial reforms, Mr Turner cast doubt on the reported theft of Mr McSweeney’s phone during the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal, branding Sir Keir’s former top aide “McSwindle”.

He was also critical of the state of Labour under Sir Keir, saying the Gorton and Denton by-election defeat to the Greens was “catastrophic” and blaming the decision to block now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham from running for the seat.

In his statement, Mr Turner, a barrister, said his concerns over plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales had been “sincerely held” and reflected his “long-standing commitment to justice and the rule of law”.

“However, I acknowledge that, in advancing those arguments, my approach was sometimes overly robust and that my words or actions caused offence to colleagues,” he said.