The move comes after Rutherglen councillor Martin Lennon accused his Labour colleague Michael Shanks of being a liar.
Shanks – who represents Rutherglen in Westminster and is the UK government’s energy minister – had said before his 2023 election that he would vote against Keir Starmer on key issues where Scottish Labour policy differed from UK Labour policy.
However, in the vote on the two-child child benefit cap on Tuesday, Shanks fell in line behind Starmer. Seven Labour MPs who did not do so were suspended from the party.
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Richard Leonard, former leader of the Scottish Labour Party, said the suspensions were “an overreaction and unjustified reaction by the leadership which gives the impression that the Labour Party is indifferent”.
On social media, one user wrote: “Hey @mgshanks, looks like there’s a mistake here mate.
“It is written in August that you said you would vote against the two-child limit, but I do not see you among the suspended deputies.”
In response, Councillor Lennon wrote: “The selection at Rutherglen was [stitched] specifically for @mgshanks *because* he would do that.
“Starmer wanted someone who would lie proudly and then do what he was told. That’s what he got.”
The selection at Rutherglen was blocked for @mgshanks specifically *because* he would do that.
Starmer wanted someone who would lie proudly and then do as he was told. That’s what he got. https://t.co/A8oJyNansG
– Martin Lennon 🌹 (@M4rtinLennon) July 24, 2024
Shanks and all other Scottish Labour MPs have backed retaining the two-child benefit cap, despite their group leaders insisting they oppose the policy.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had said just two weeks before the vote that the benefit cap – which prevents families from claiming benefits for a third or subsequent child unless specific conditions are met – was “wrong”. [and] must be reversed”.
SNP MP Clare Haughey has accused Labour of “fracturing” over the two-child benefit cap.
READ MORE: Children’s charity boss turned Scottish Labour MP criticised for backing two-child limit
Haughey said: “This week the SNP made it clear that our priority was to eradicate child poverty – unfortunately Keir Starmer’s Labour Party made it clear that it does not share our ambition.
“The vote by new Scottish Labour MPs to maintain the two-child limit which is pushing thousands of children into poverty is a disgrace and now, just weeks after the election, their party is split over this issue.
“Anas Sarwar’s silence shows he is losing control after every single MP in Westminster has challenged his position.
“In government, the SNP is delivering real change, keeping 100,000 children out of poverty this year through policies like the Scottish Child Payment. It’s time for Labour to match our ambition.
“Sarwar needs to take charge of his party and make sure it stops serving Starmer and starts serving Scotland.”
The Labour Party has been contacted for comment.
