Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell have lost the whip, meaning they are no longer part of Labour’s parliamentary party and will sit as independent MPs.
The suspension is indefinite pending a review.
Three other MPs have had their trade envoy roles removed: Rosena Allin Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammed Yasin.
Politics latest: Suspended MPs defend their voting record
All seven had voted against the government’s welfare reforms earlier this month. However, it’s understood this isn’t the only reason behind the decision with sources citing “repeated breaches of party discipline”.
Over 100 MPs had initially rebelled against the plan to cut personal independent payments (pip). Ultimately 47 voted against the bill’s third reading, after it was watered down significantly in the face of defeat.
Ms Maskell was one of the lead rebels in the welfare revolt, and has more recently called for a wealth tax to fund the U-turn.
The York Central MP has spoken out against the government on a number of other occasions since the election, including on winter fuel and cuts to overseas aid.
Confirming the suspension, Ms Maskell told Sky News that she “doesn’t see herself as a rebel” but “somebody that is prepared to fulfil my role here of holding the executive to account and speaking truth to power”.
She stopped short of criticising the decision, saying: “I hold my hand out to the prime minister and hope he takes that and wants to reach back because I think it’s really important that we work together.”
Ms Maskell was first elected in 2015, while the other suspended MPs were newly elected last year.
Mr Hinchliff, for North East Hertfordshire, has proposed a series of amendments to the flagship planning and infrastructure bill criticising the government’s approach.
Mr Duncan-Jordan, the MP for Poole, led a rebellion against the cut to the winter fuel payments while Alloa and Grangemouth MP Mr Leishman has been critical of the government’s position on Gaza.
‘Couldn’t support making people poorer’
Mr Duncan-Jordan told Sky News that he understood speaking out against benefit cuts would “come at a cost” but said he “couldn’t support making disabled people poorer”.
Mr Leishman echoed that sentiment, saying: “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.”
Both said they remain committed to the Labour Party and its values, suggesting they have no plans to join the new party being set up by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and outsted MP Zarah Sultana.
Sky News has contacted Mr Hinchliff for comment.
The suspensions will be seen as an attempt to restore discipline ahead of the summer recess following a number of rebellions that has forced the government into U-turns.
Read More:
Who are the suspended Labour MPs – and why did they lose the whip?
As well as watering down the welfare bill, some cuts to the winter fuel payment have been reversed, leaving Chancellor Rachel Reeves with a fiscal blackhole to fill.
However the move risks creating further divisions with a number of Labour MPs criticising the decision.
Starmer ‘rolling out the carpet to Reform’
Ian Byrne said he was “appalled” by the suspensions as he and 44 others voted against welfare cuts.
He said this isn’t the first time the Starmer leadership has “punished MPs for standing up for what’s right”, as he and six others were suspended last year for voting against the two-child benefit cap.
“These decisions don’t show strength. They are damaging Labour’s support and risk rolling out the red carpet for Reform,” he added.
Richard Burgon, who was also temporarily suspended in the two-child benefit cap revolt, said he had hoped the leadership would take a different approach to backbenchers.
“Sadly, it isn’t yet doing so. To help stop a Reform Government, it really must do so,” he said.
Jon Trickett said “it’s not a sin to stand up for the poor and disabled” adding: “Solidarity with the suspended four.”
