South Tyneside’s rebel MPs not expected to face consequences for defying the Prime Minister
South Tyneside’s MPs are not expected to face consequences for defying the Prime Minister.
The Shields Gazette understands that South Tyneside’s MPs won’t face consequences for rebelling against the government to vote in favour of referring the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee.
Both Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, and Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, both voted in favour of the motion on Tuesday, April 28, despite the Labour Party issuing a three-line whip.
The three-line whip is the strictest requirement to vote a certain way and MPs could face serious consequences if they defy the wishes of their party.
These consequences could have seen Ms Lewell and Ms Osborne having the “whip removed”, which would have meant that they would sit as independents in the House of Commons.
However, it now appears that they won’t face any repercussions for being among 15 Labour MPs to vote against the government.
The motion was tabled by the Conservative Party who called for the referral to investigate whether the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, had misled the House over appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador.
Ultimately the motion was voted down by a majority of 112, with 223 in favour and 335 against.
Following the vote last week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour MPs of being complicit in a “cover-up”, saying they would “rue the day” they voted against an inquiry.