SCOTTISH MP Brian Leishman has released a statement after being suspended by Labour.
The Grangemouth representative has had the whip removed by Keir Starmer alongside three of his colleagues – Rachael Maskell, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Chris Hinchliff.
All four of the MPs voted against the Government's welfare reforms, with Maskell leading a rebellion which threatened to challenge the Government's majority.
Leishman said he had been "temporarily suspended" and stressed he wished to remain a Labour MP.
But he added it was "not my duty as an MP to make people poorer" as he defended voting against the Government on several occasions since coming into post.
“I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving,” Leishman said in a statement.
“I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth.
“I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.”
Leishman is said to have been kicked out of the parliamentary Labour Party over voting against the Government and criticism of its policies in the media.
It is reported that the move is an effort from No 10 to restore party discipline before the summer recess, which begins on Tuesday.
Starmer was forced into a major climbdown on benefits cuts after a rebellion threatened to overturn his majority in the Commons earlier this month.
Leishman has been especially critical of the Government over the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery.
In a fiery speech to Ed Miliband in April he said: "Scotland once again is a victim of industrial vandalism and devastation, and I don't want anyone in this chamber to dare mention a ‘just transition’, because we all know that the Conservatives were in power and the SNP currently in Holyrood did nothing to avert this catastrophic decision happening.
“I put it to the Secretary of State, the Labour leadership in the General Election campaign said they would step in and save the jobs at the refinery.
“What has changed? And why have we not done the sensible thing for Scotland's energy security?”
At the end of last month, Leishman admitted he was "not proud" of Starmer's first year in power as he spoke about his opposition to welfare reforms.
