Latest news with #Maskell
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Constituents critical of York MP's suspension
On Wednesday, York Central MP Rachael Maskell was suspended from Labour, along with three other MPs, for repeated breaches of party discipline. It came after she was a key figure in organising a rebellion against her party's welfare reform bill, which she said would introduce "Dickensian cuts belonging to a different era and a different party". Maskell defended her decision as standing up for disabled people but the prime minister argued the MPs were "elected on a Labour manifesto" and so should back the government's agenda. But what do Maskell's York constituents think? People in Acomb have spoken to the BBC about their reaction to the news. 'Absolutely disgusting' Richard Lowe, from the Huntington Road area of York, is visiting shops on Front Street with his wife. When quizzed about Maskell's suspension, he says this is a topic the couple has discussed in depth, due to their careers in healthcare. "Rachael Maskell, for me, embodies what the Labour movement should be," the former mental health nurse says. "My thoughts are that the suspension is absolutely disgusting. "As she says, she's been a Labour member for 34 years, she's stood up for disability rights, she's a disability campaigner." As an ex-nurse, Richard says he has always had a duty of care to his patients - and that Maskell has a duty of care to her constituents. "I won't be voting Labour at the next general election," he says. "If Rachael Maskell is still an independent MP, I'll vote for her but I'm not voting Labour. "I hope she's retaken into the Labour Party very shortly. I can't see it happening myself, but there you go." 'Where are the lines?' Sat on a bench alongside their dog are Angela and her mother-in-law, Carole, who both live locally. They explain they do not share the same political views as Maskell but were on the fence about Sir Keir Starmer's decision to suspend her. "It's difficult, isn't it? Everybody's entitled to their own opinion but where are the lines?" Angela asks. "I think Labour has made a lot of terrible choices in the past year or so. "They're not doing themselves any favours." However, they both thought the welfare system needed an overhaul. "If you're a disabled person, you should be entitled to a benefit if that benefit is appropriate for your disability," Angela says. "But I think possibly there's been a bit of a trend of people claiming disability benefits and I don't think there's been enough checks into the background of what's actually needed for some people." Carole believes more "double checks" should be made to see what benefit is fair for each claimant. 'Over the top' Further down the street, Carolina Ficco, 62, also stops to chat. She believes that no matter the political party, MPs should not be punished for representing their constituents. "I think it was extremely harsh and over the top that she's been suspended," Carolina says. "Everybody is entitled to an opinion and if she's representing people, why should she be dismissed for that? "That's what politicians are supposed to be about, they're a voice for us. It's bang out of order." She says Maskell's suspension is "absolutely, totally wrong". The prime minister defended his decision to suspend Maskell, along with Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff. He said: "I am determined we will change this country for the better for millions of working people – and I'm not going to be deflected from that. "Therefore, we have to deal with people who repeatedly break the whip. "Everyone was elected as a Labour MP on a Labour manifesto of change and everybody needs to deliver as a Labour government." In a statement, the York Central MP said she wanted this Labour government to be the "very best ever" and said she had "used every opportunity" to reach into government to be an advocate for disabled people. "I am, of course, sad of the decision to suspend me for simply seeking the very best for others," Maskell said. "As someone of deep conviction and faith, I bring these values with me in all I do in representing my constituents and ensuring that I advocate for them, keep them safe and ensure that their voices are taken into the very heart of politics." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story Starmer says he had to 'deal with' rebel Labour MPs Labour suspends four MPs after welfare cuts rebellion
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Starmer criticised over action against Labour rebels
Responding to Sir Keir's attempt to assert his authority over the party, York Central MP Ms Maskell said: 'On this occasion, I don't think he's got it right.' Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell had the Labour whip suspended (UK Parliament/PA) She told the BBC: 'I really hope from this process there will be reflection over the summer, but also learning. 'There needs to be a better reach-out to backbenchers to ensure that we are the safeguards of our Government.' The four MPs all voted against the Government over the welfare reform legislation, but party sources said the decision to suspend the whip was taken as a result of persistent breaches of discipline rather than a single rebellion. Government minister Jess Phillips said the four should not be surprised by the action against them. The Home Office minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There has to be an element of discipline otherwise you end up not being able to govern.' She added: 'I think that constantly taking to the airwaves and slagging off your own Government, I have to say, what did you think was going to happen?' On Sky News she said: 'We were elected as a team under a banner and under a manifesto, and we have to seek to work together, and if you are acting in a manner that is to undermine the ability of the Government to deliver those things, I don't know what you expect.' Referring to a description of the rebels by an unnamed source in The Times, she told Sky News: 'I didn't call it persistent knob-headery, but that's the way that it's been termed by some.'
ITV News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Starmer suspends rebellious MPs
Sir Keir Starmer has carried out a purge of troublesome backbenchers as he suspended a number of MPs. Rachael Maskell, who spearheaded plans to halt the Government's welfare reforms, has lost the whip, alongside Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff. All voted against the Government's benefits reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all aside from Ms Maskell were first elected at last year's election. The York Central MP said she had been suspended for 'standing up for my constituents' over the benefits plans. Ms Maskell said she had a 'positive conversation' with the chief whip, adding: 'He knows my heart and why I did what I did. 'I explained there are lines I can't cross because of where I come from in politics with my faith.' She said she was 'not angry' but 'upset that we are in this place because I believe we are better than that as a party. I believe that strength comes from the backbenches.' Mr Duncan-Jordan has said he remains 'as committed as ever' to Labour values, but accepted that voting against the welfare plans 'could come at a cost'. In a statement, the MP for Poole said: 'Since being elected, I have consistently spoken up for my constituents on a range of issues, including most recently on cuts to disability benefits. 'I understood this could come at a cost, but I couldn't support making disabled people poorer. 'Although I've been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party today, I've been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years and remain as committed as ever to its values.' Mr Leishman said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. The office of the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' Mr Leishman said in a statement. 'I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. 'I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.' A Labour backbencher described the suspensions as 'devastating' and said they did not signal a willingness from the Government to reset relations with the parliamentary party. As well as the suspensions, three other MPs have been removed from trade envoy jobs: Rosena Allin-Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammad Yasin. It is understood that those who have been suspended have had the whip removed due to repeated infringements when it comes to party discipline. Mr Duncan-Jordan raised concerns about the Government's changes to the winter fuel allowance before the U-turn while Mr Leishman has been a critic of the Government's response to the Grangemouth closure. Mr Hinchliff led a rebellion against ministers' planning Bill over environmental concerns. Shadow minister Richard Holden claimed that the suspensions are 'a desperate attempt to distract from yet another surge in inflation today'. Richard Burgon, who lost the Labour whip last year after he rebelled on the two-child benefit cap but has since had it reinstated said that those who have been suspended 'were simply standing up for their disabled constituents and following their consciences'. In a statement on X, he added: 'Challenging policies that harm our communities, that damage Labour's support and that make a Reform government much more likely is a key role of Labour backbenchers. 'The Prime Minister should be listening to these voices, not punishing them.' The Fire Brigades Union have called the move an 'outrageous and authoritarian act' and claimed the Labour leadership have 'learned nothing from the huge outpouring of anger that the cuts to welfare have provoked'.
Rhyl Journal
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Starmer suspends rebellious MPs
Rachael Maskell, who spearheaded plans to halt the Government's welfare reforms, has lost the whip, alongside Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff. All voted against the Government's benefits reforms as part of a wider rebellion earlier this month, and all aside from Ms Maskell were first elected at last year's election. The York Central MP said she had been suspended for 'standing up for my constituents' over the benefits plans. Ms Maskell said she had a 'positive conversation' with the chief whip, adding: 'He knows my heart and why I did what I did. 'I explained there are lines I can't cross because of where I come from in politics with my faith.' She said she was 'not angry' but 'upset that we are in this place because I believe we are better than that as a party. I believe that strength comes from the backbenches.' Mr Duncan-Jordan has said he remains 'as committed as ever' to Labour values, but accepted that voting against the welfare plans 'could come at a cost'. In a statement, the MP for Poole said: 'Since being elected, I have consistently spoken up for my constituents on a range of issues, including most recently on cuts to disability benefits. 'I understood this could come at a cost, but I couldn't support making disabled people poorer. 'Although I've been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party today, I've been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years and remain as committed as ever to its values.' Mr Leishman said he is a 'proud Labour member' and remains 'committed to the party'. The office of the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth confirmed he had had the whip 'temporarily suspended'. 'I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,' Mr Leishman said in a statement. 'I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth. 'I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.' A Labour backbencher described the suspensions as 'devastating' and said they did not signal a willingness from the Government to reset relations with the parliamentary party. As well as the suspensions, three other MPs have been removed from trade envoy jobs: Rosena Allin-Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammad Yasin. It is understood that those who have been suspended have had the whip removed due to repeated infringements when it comes to party discipline. Mr Duncan-Jordan raised concerns about the Government's changes to the winter fuel allowance before the U-turn while Mr Leishman has been a critic of the Government's response to the Grangemouth closure. Mr Hinchliff led a rebellion against ministers' planning Bill over environmental concerns. Shadow minister Richard Holden claimed that the suspensions are 'a desperate attempt to distract from yet another surge in inflation today'.
The Advertiser
11-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Retrial ordered over alleged unprovoked servo attack
A man accused of launching an unprovoked attack on a beloved postmaster at a service station has been granted a retrial. Troy Maskell was in 2023 found guilty of manslaughter over the death of John Burke at a Strathmerton service station in northern Victoria. It was alleged he attacked Mr Burke on August 8, 2021, by hitting him over the head with a one-litre bottle and kicking him on a hard tile floor. During the trial, the court was told the 73-year-old local postmaster had smiled at Maskell's girlfriend and daughter as they entered the servo. The woman then wrongly accused Mr Burke of being a pedophile, before the alleged attack occurred. Mr Burke died in hospital 11 weeks after the attack due to a brain injury. Maskell was sentenced to eight years in prison with a non-parole period of five years. He lodged an appeal against his conviction in February 2024, claiming there was a substantial miscarriage of justice. Victorian Court of Appeal Justices Karin Emerton, Maree Kennedy and Peter Kidd on Friday ruled in Maskell's favour, ordering his conviction be set aside. The court allowed the appeal on one issue relating to the CCTV shown to the jury during the trial, where Maskell demanded the service station attendant "wipe the tape" following the alleged assault. Maskell's lawyers argued the footage allowed the jury to make assumptions about his mindset at the time of the alleged attack. "This invited incriminating conduct reasoning," the judgment read. "It was inadmissible and introduced in non-compliance with the Jury Directions Act." CCTV footage of the accused driving into the petrol station before the alleged assault and out of the service station after was also flagged as "irrelevant" by the court. The justices found the footage of the arrival and departure should have been excluded as his actions in that moment were not in practical dispute. The court ruled that there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice and Maskell's conviction be set aside and a fresh trial ordered. The justices dismissed the other two grounds for appeal. Maskell will return to court in August. A man accused of launching an unprovoked attack on a beloved postmaster at a service station has been granted a retrial. Troy Maskell was in 2023 found guilty of manslaughter over the death of John Burke at a Strathmerton service station in northern Victoria. It was alleged he attacked Mr Burke on August 8, 2021, by hitting him over the head with a one-litre bottle and kicking him on a hard tile floor. During the trial, the court was told the 73-year-old local postmaster had smiled at Maskell's girlfriend and daughter as they entered the servo. The woman then wrongly accused Mr Burke of being a pedophile, before the alleged attack occurred. Mr Burke died in hospital 11 weeks after the attack due to a brain injury. Maskell was sentenced to eight years in prison with a non-parole period of five years. He lodged an appeal against his conviction in February 2024, claiming there was a substantial miscarriage of justice. Victorian Court of Appeal Justices Karin Emerton, Maree Kennedy and Peter Kidd on Friday ruled in Maskell's favour, ordering his conviction be set aside. The court allowed the appeal on one issue relating to the CCTV shown to the jury during the trial, where Maskell demanded the service station attendant "wipe the tape" following the alleged assault. Maskell's lawyers argued the footage allowed the jury to make assumptions about his mindset at the time of the alleged attack. "This invited incriminating conduct reasoning," the judgment read. "It was inadmissible and introduced in non-compliance with the Jury Directions Act." CCTV footage of the accused driving into the petrol station before the alleged assault and out of the service station after was also flagged as "irrelevant" by the court. The justices found the footage of the arrival and departure should have been excluded as his actions in that moment were not in practical dispute. The court ruled that there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice and Maskell's conviction be set aside and a fresh trial ordered. The justices dismissed the other two grounds for appeal. Maskell will return to court in August. A man accused of launching an unprovoked attack on a beloved postmaster at a service station has been granted a retrial. Troy Maskell was in 2023 found guilty of manslaughter over the death of John Burke at a Strathmerton service station in northern Victoria. It was alleged he attacked Mr Burke on August 8, 2021, by hitting him over the head with a one-litre bottle and kicking him on a hard tile floor. During the trial, the court was told the 73-year-old local postmaster had smiled at Maskell's girlfriend and daughter as they entered the servo. The woman then wrongly accused Mr Burke of being a pedophile, before the alleged attack occurred. Mr Burke died in hospital 11 weeks after the attack due to a brain injury. Maskell was sentenced to eight years in prison with a non-parole period of five years. He lodged an appeal against his conviction in February 2024, claiming there was a substantial miscarriage of justice. Victorian Court of Appeal Justices Karin Emerton, Maree Kennedy and Peter Kidd on Friday ruled in Maskell's favour, ordering his conviction be set aside. The court allowed the appeal on one issue relating to the CCTV shown to the jury during the trial, where Maskell demanded the service station attendant "wipe the tape" following the alleged assault. Maskell's lawyers argued the footage allowed the jury to make assumptions about his mindset at the time of the alleged attack. "This invited incriminating conduct reasoning," the judgment read. "It was inadmissible and introduced in non-compliance with the Jury Directions Act." CCTV footage of the accused driving into the petrol station before the alleged assault and out of the service station after was also flagged as "irrelevant" by the court. The justices found the footage of the arrival and departure should have been excluded as his actions in that moment were not in practical dispute. The court ruled that there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice and Maskell's conviction be set aside and a fresh trial ordered. The justices dismissed the other two grounds for appeal. Maskell will return to court in August. A man accused of launching an unprovoked attack on a beloved postmaster at a service station has been granted a retrial. Troy Maskell was in 2023 found guilty of manslaughter over the death of John Burke at a Strathmerton service station in northern Victoria. It was alleged he attacked Mr Burke on August 8, 2021, by hitting him over the head with a one-litre bottle and kicking him on a hard tile floor. During the trial, the court was told the 73-year-old local postmaster had smiled at Maskell's girlfriend and daughter as they entered the servo. The woman then wrongly accused Mr Burke of being a pedophile, before the alleged attack occurred. Mr Burke died in hospital 11 weeks after the attack due to a brain injury. Maskell was sentenced to eight years in prison with a non-parole period of five years. He lodged an appeal against his conviction in February 2024, claiming there was a substantial miscarriage of justice. Victorian Court of Appeal Justices Karin Emerton, Maree Kennedy and Peter Kidd on Friday ruled in Maskell's favour, ordering his conviction be set aside. The court allowed the appeal on one issue relating to the CCTV shown to the jury during the trial, where Maskell demanded the service station attendant "wipe the tape" following the alleged assault. Maskell's lawyers argued the footage allowed the jury to make assumptions about his mindset at the time of the alleged attack. "This invited incriminating conduct reasoning," the judgment read. "It was inadmissible and introduced in non-compliance with the Jury Directions Act." CCTV footage of the accused driving into the petrol station before the alleged assault and out of the service station after was also flagged as "irrelevant" by the court. The justices found the footage of the arrival and departure should have been excluded as his actions in that moment were not in practical dispute. The court ruled that there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice and Maskell's conviction be set aside and a fresh trial ordered. The justices dismissed the other two grounds for appeal. Maskell will return to court in August.
