A Labour feud between suspended MP Karl Turner and Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds has escalated. Turner accused the Number 10 'boy's club' of smearing his mental health and tweeted a message from Reynolds threatening to block him.
Background of the Dispute
The clash followed Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. Turner, the independent MP for Kingston upon Hull East, claimed there had been 'hostile briefings' about his mental health. He lost the Labour whip in March after opposing government plans to limit jury trials.
Turner told the Prime Minister: 'When I opposed his Government's plan to bring in single judge trials, I received hostile briefings and smears about my mental health from the lads in Number 10.' He added that the Chief Whip was shaking his head but knew about it.
Sir Keir Starmer responded: 'I want to be absolutely clear that nobody should be smeared in relation to mental health... I will do everything I can to make sure that is the position.'
The Exchange and Aftermath
As the session ended, Turner walked past the front bench. Reynolds shouted: 'That was disgraceful.' Justice Secretary David Lammy intervened before Turner left. Turner later tweeted Reynolds' message: 'As this is my personal number, I want to make clear you do not have permission to contact me on it ever again. If you do not respect this, I will block your number.'
Turner told the Mail: 'Since the general election, many Labour MPs have raised concerns about heavy-handed tactics from No. 10. Many colleagues have been briefed against... I notified every cabinet minister including the PM in January that it was happening to me.'
Rosie Duffield, former Labour MP now independent, tweeted support: 'This is a disgusting attitude towards lifelong, much respected LP member @KarlTurnerMP.' She said colleagues should be free to speak about 'underhand workplace gameplaying'.
A spokesman for the Chief Whip did not respond to requests for comment.
