Brian Leishman: Scottish MP among four suspended by Starmer over 'persistent breaches of party discipline'
All voted against the Government’s planned welfare reforms earlier this month.
Outspoken Scottish MP Brian Leishman said he cannot support policies that “make people poorer” after he was suspended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a purge of rebel Labour backbenchers.
The UK Labour leader withdrew the whip from the Alloa and Grangemouth MP, along with Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchcliff and Rachael Maskell, who spearheaded plans to halt the government’s welfare reforms.
All four voted against planned welfare reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all were first elected at last year’s election, except Ms Maskell. Mr Leishman was one of 49 Labour MPs to rebel against the Government's welfare reforms.
Mr Leishman has been the most high-profile Scottish Labour MP since last year’s general election - and has been highly critical since entering the House of Commons over Grangemouth and Sir Keir’s policies around welfare.
The SNP has branded the decision to suspend Mr Leishman as “another blow” to Scottish Labour’s chances of winning power at next year’s Scottish Parliament election.
Sarwar spoke to party whip before suspension
The Scotsman understands that Mr Leishman met Labour’s chief whip, Alan Campbell, on Wednesday and has had the party whip suspended due to “repeated breaches of party discipline”. The suspension is believed to be pending a future review.
It is understood that Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, spoke to the chief whip before Mr Leishman was suspended. The MP remains a member of the Scottish Labour party.
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In a statement, Mr Leishman said: “I am a proud Labour member, and I remain committed to the party.
“I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving.”