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A Labour MP who broke ranks to oppose the government’s plans to restrict jury trials has said he is not expecting to lose the party whip – but he does “not care” if he does.
Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Hull East, told Sky News he does not expect to be suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party, despite voting with the Conservatives on an opposition day motion opposing the controversial plans earlier this week.
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Mr Turner, a former criminal barrister who has been vocal in his opposition to the plans, told Sky News: “I do not expect to lose the party whip – but if I do, I do not care.
“I invite them to take the whip from me if they want – at least I believe in something. If they want to take the whip off someone who believes in something, then good luck to them.”
David Lammy, the justice secretary and deputy prime minister, announced last month that defendants who are likely to get a sentence of three years or less will no longer get a jury trial.
He also said defendants will no longer be able to choose a jury trial, and that the ability to appeal against a magistrates’ court verdict to a crown court will also be limited.
Ministers have argued the move is necessary to tackle the backlog of court cases that built up over the COVID pandemic, which now stands at approximately 80,000, and that without action, that figure could reach 100,000 by 2028.
But the proposals have attracted significant criticism from MPs and legal experts, who have warned about curtailing rights and a lack of evidence the move will even help bring down the backlog.
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