A Liverpool MP has had the whip suspended by the Labour Party for six months.
Ian Byrne was one of seven members from the newly-installed government to vote in favour of an opposition motion to scrap the two-child benefit limit.
The representative for West Derby gave his backing to the amendment tabled by the SNP during a debate which sought to remove the current legislation.
Although the counterpoint was rejected in the House of Commons by a vote of 363 to 103, Keir Starmer took action against their seven rebel politicians.
Liverpool-born former shadow chancellor John McDonnell was among those suspended alongside Mr Byrne for supporting the SNP’s amendment.
Mr Byrne later explained his motivation for voting against the government in a post on one of his official social media accounts.
He said: “Figures from @CPAGUK show that 43% of children in Liverpool West Derby live in poverty.
“Experts say that the best way to immediately impact this is to scrap the two-child cap.
“This is why this evening I voted for the #KingsSpeech amendment to scrap the cap. #RightToFood.”
Riverside MP Kim Johnson also attempted to table her own amendment calling for the policy to be removed but it was not selected for debate.
However she later voted in favour of Labour’s position and confirmed on social media that she did so as an act of solidarity.
She said: “Thanks to all who fought hard for the Labour government to immediately scrap the 2 child cap.
“We moved the dial, the campaign will continue
“Voted with the government tonight for unity but made it clear: the massive strength of feeling is undeniable
“It must be a priority for our first budget.”