LABOUR MPs have been banned from publicly criticising government policies in a new clampdown by the beleaguered Starmer regime, it was revealed today.

It is understood that Labour whips have written a threatening letter to the 10 Labour MPs who voted against the government’s refusal to compensate the Waspi women over pension maladministration, as recommended by an ombudsman.

In an unprecedented injunction, the letter includes the warning that “you are not entitled to criticise the government in public.”

The move forms part of an increasing authoritarianism by Labour’s leadership as the government’s popularity plummets in the polls.

Three left MPs have had their six-month suspension for an earlier rebellion over the two-child benefit cap extended for an open-ended period, indicating that they are unlikely ever to be readmitted to the parliamentary party.

Government business managers had only imposed a one-line whip, the lightest form of parliamentary discipline, on the Waspi vote, since it was on a purely symbolic motion tabled by the Scottish National Party.

The rebel MPs were Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool), Julia Buckley (Shrewsbury), Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole), Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire), Terry Jermy (South West Norfolk), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields), Melanie Onn (Grimsby and Cleethorpes), Jon Trickett (Normanton and Hemsworth) and Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndwyr).

Apparently alarmed that the rebels included seven first-time Labour MPs with no previous form, Downing Street was anxious to stamp out the first trace of independent judgement.

With more unpopular decisions on spending looming, it is unlikely that the whips will be able to secure adherence to their latest diktat.