Mohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford & Kempston, has been stripped of his role as the UK’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan after defying the government over welfare reform plans earlier this month.
Mr Yasin is one of three Labour MPs, alongside Rosena Allin-Khan and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, to lose their trade envoy positions after voting against the government’s welfare bill.
A further four MPs, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff and Rachael Maskell, have had the Labour whip removed entirely and will now sit as independents in Parliament.
In total, 47 Labour MPs rebelled against the party line to oppose proposed cuts to welfare benefits, forcing the government to water down its plans.
Rebellion
The rebellion came amid wider criticism of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership following several high-profile policy U-turns.
Mr Yasin, who was appointed as Trade Envoy to Pakistan in January, said at the time that the role was “an incredible opportunity to foster stronger trade ties” and that it complemented his primary focus of serving his Bedford constituents.
His appointment was seen as significant for promoting trade links with Pakistan, where he led visits earlier this year to strengthen economic co-operation.
Losing the envoy role marks a public setback for the Bedford MP, although he remains a Labour backbencher.
“Dickensian cuts”
The rebellion that led to Mr Yasin and others being disciplined came during a fraught week for the Labour leadership, as MPs lined up to oppose plans for sweeping welfare reforms.
The government was forced into a dramatic climbdown just hours before the vote on its welfare bill, shelving controversial cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to avoid an even bigger rebellion, according to The Guardian.
Despite concessions from the leadership, 49 Labour MPs voted against the bill, the largest rebellion of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership so far.
Many MPs argued the proposed changes would have pushed thousands of vulnerable and disabled people further into poverty.
In response to growing discontent, ministers promised that any changes to PIP would be delayed until at least autumn 2026 following a review by welfare minister Stephen Timms, co-produced with disability groups.
£2.5 billion shortfall
Even with the compromise, the episode exposed tensions within the party and raised questions about Downing Street’s handling of the issue.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves now faces a £2.5 billion shortfall in savings as a result of the concessions.
At the same time, critics, including some within the party, described the bill as “hollowed out” and accused the leadership of failing to listen to concerns from backbenchers and disability campaigners adequately.
In statements, the suspended MPs stressed their continued commitment to Labour’s core values, saying they could not in good conscience back measures they believed would make vulnerable people poorer.
Mr Yasin has not yet commented publicly on the loss of his trade envoy position. We have contacted his office.
