A LABOUR MP opposing the government’s plan to restrict jury trials to the most serious offences has had the Labour whip suspended.

Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds informed Karl Turner, a barrister and the Kingston upon Hull East MP, that he was suspending the whip “following his recent conduct.”

But Mr Turner said: “I have not had any notification from the whips about this.

“It seems journalists have been told, but I have not.”

He abstained when the Courts and Tribunals Bill 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 previously threatened to quit the Commons and trigger a by-election over the proposals.

It is understood that the suspension will be reviewed at a later date.