Karl Turner has had the Labour whip restored on a “probationary basis”.
The Hull East MP was suspended from the parliamentary party in March after publicly criticising government policy – in particular the plan to restrict jury trials.
In an “agreed” statement, Turner said: “I want to take this opportunity to apologise and reflect on the offence I may have caused colleagues in recent months.”
He added: “With the party under new leadership and a renewed approach to managing differences of opinion, I am keen to move forward positively and draw a line under this episode.”
Turner had been critical of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, saying the Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election defeat to the Greens was “catastrophic”, and blaming that loss on the decision to block now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham from running for the seat.
In his statement, Turner said his concerns over plans to limit jury trials in England and Wales had been “sincerely held” and reflected his “long-standing commitment to justice and the rule of law”.
He added: “However, I acknowledge that, in advancing those arguments, my approach was sometimes overly robust and that my words or actions caused offence to colleagues.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Following discussions with the government chief whip, Karl Turner MP has had the Labour whip restored on a probationary basis.
“The chief whip welcomes Karl Turner’s constructive engagement and his acknowledgement that aspects of his behaviour, actions and public comments fell short of the standards expected of Labour MPs.
“We welcome his public apology and the undertakings he has given regarding his future conduct.
“We now look forward to moving ahead positively, with Karl Turner continuing to contribute as a Labour MP.”
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