Lucy Powell has suggested that four MPs who had the Labour whip suspended could return to the party at some point in the future.
Three other MPs had their roles as trade envoys removed on similar grounds.
In an exclusive interview with the Leader of the House of Commons hours after news broke of the suspensions, Powell said the move was the right decision but that the door is open for their return to the Parliamentary Labour Party in the future.
She said: “Losing the whip – that’s not what we’re about, we’re about building a Labour family, but we do have certain expectations that people will not actively not support the government.
“These are matters for the chief whip, but there’s always routes back for people.”
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The suspension of the four MPs, three of whom are from the new intake elected last year, has prompted anger and outrage on the left of the Labour Party – with a joint petition from Compass, Momentum and Open Labour calling on the Prime Minister and party chief whip Alan Campbell to reinstate them.
The petition reads: “The divisive decision to suspend MPs who opposed disability cuts does not strengthen the government – this move will only embolden those on the populist right wanting to see the government fall.
“If the government wants to be successful, it must bring the Labour Party and the country along with them.”
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