Labour MP Nadia Whittome has confirmed via social media that she has been sacked from her junior role following her decision to vote against a new law which would make it harder for military veterans to be prosecuted for past actions.
The government holds the belied that the new bill will protect the armed forces from “vexatious prosecutions” but critics have argued it could decriminalise torture.
Eighteen Labour MP’s voted against the bill, including former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
Labour MPs were ordered to abstain in Wednesday’s vote. A Labour source told the PA news agency: “Anyone who wanted to vote against (the) whip was told they would have to resign.”
In her statement, Ms Whittome stated: “This morning the Leader of the Opposition’s office called me to confirm that I have been stood down from my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth following my vote against the Overseas Operations bill.
“I stood down from the bill because it effectively decriminalises torture and makes it harder for veterans to take legal action against the government or for war crimes to be investigated.
“The decision to break the Labour whip is a difficult one and understand many of my colleagues came to a different conclusion and decided to abstain on this bill in the sincere hope that this bill can be amended at later stages.
“I hold out no such hope given how flawed and damaging this bill is.”
The Nottingham East MP reinforced the importance that MP’s vote for what they believe in and explained her reasoning to defy the whip.
“It is important that MP’s are able to vote in line with their conscience in consideration of all the facts and in good faith – all of which I am confident have been done.
“The bill flatly contradicts the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) – a treaty which the UK has ratified – which states that all victims of torture or ill-treatment, regardless of when the violation occurred, must be able to access their rights to remedy and to obtain redress.
“It often takes years, or even decades, to properly process and come to terms with abusive and traumatic experiences and to then find the courage and resources to come forward.
“I cannot, in good conscience, vote in a way that would make this process even harder for someone in such a terrible situation.
“It strikes me that if a piece of legislation has had concerns raised by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the British Legion, Amnesty International and other organisations on the front line of supporting veterans and defending human rights, we need to stop and ask ourselves why.”
The UK’s youngest MP paid tribute to Jon Ashworth and reemphasised her support for Sir Kier Starmer and the shadow cabinet.
“I am sad to have stepped down as Jon Ashworth’s PPS. Jon has held the government to account with rigour and courage on its myriad of failures in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic – from being slow to lockdown, slow to provide PPE to health and social care workers, and failing to give us the functioning test and trace system we need to bet the virus.”
“It has been a privilege to serve as Jon’s PPS and both he and Kier will continue to have my loyalty and support.
As well as the 18 Labour MPs, the bill was opposed by the SNP and Liberal Democrats.
However, it passed its second reading by 331 votes to 77 and will now be debated in more detailed by MPs at a later date.
By Elliot Ball
Featured photo credit: UK Parliament
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