Labour MPs Lose Junior Frontbench Roles After Opposing Overseas Operations Bill

Labour Party MPs have been "stood down" from their junior frontbench posts, after opposing the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill in parliament yesterday.

Nadia Whittome and Olivia Blake both confirmed they have been removed from their roles as aides to shadow ministers.

Ms Whittome was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Shadow Health Secretary, while Ms Blake had been Parliamentary Private Secretary for the Shadow Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Shadow Scotland departments.

The MPs have been stripped of their junior roles after defying instructions to abstain on the bill, which Tory ministers say aims to protect Armed Forces personnel from "vexatious prosecutions".

Ms Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, tweeted on Thursday: "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 Operation Bill.

"I opposed 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."

Ms Whittome, who at 24 is the youngest member of the Commons, said that while she understood others in her party hoped amendments could be made at a later stage, it was "important that MPs are able to vote in line with their conscience".

Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, said: "I have been a strong advocate for human rights, so last night’s vote was highly personal and one of conscience for me.

"I understand that colleagues share many of my concerns about the Bill and I respect the position of those who feel they can amend it in committee stage.

"I think the premise of the government’s proposals are wrong and I don’t believe they can be amended to fix the fundamental flaws in the Bill, which is why I opposed the legislation at this point," she added.

The Government has said the Overseas Operations Bill will ensure service personnel will be protected from "vexatious claims and endless investigations".

Ministers said it seeks to limit false and historical allegations arising from overseas operations by introducing a statutory presumption against prosecution, making it exceptional for personnel to be prosecuted five years or more after an incident.

But campaigners and some senior military figures have warned the legislation will create a presumption against prosecution of torture and other serious crimes except rape and sexual violence.

The Overseas Operations Bill was approved by 331 votes to 77 in the Commons and will undergo additional scrutiny at a later date.

Other Labour MPs also voted against the bill, including former leader Jeremy Corbyn MP, former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott MP and ex-Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP.