A Labour minister avoided answering whether MPs involved in a vile WhatsApp group should be permanently expelled from the party, as another politician faces potential suspension. Angela Eagle insisted 'anyone can make mistakes' following the exposure of racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic messages exchanged in the group.
A Labour minister today avoided directly answering whether MPs involved in a abhorrent WhatsApp group should be permanently expelled from the party. Angela Eagle asserted that 'anyone can make mistakes' as a second politician faces discussions with the chief whip and the possibility of suspension. In a series of interviews, the Home Office minister condemned the racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic messages exchanged within the group.
Health minister Andrew Gwynne was dismissed by Keir Starmer following The Mail on Sunday's disclosure of the messages to Downing Street on Saturday. It has now been revealed that Oliver Ryan, the 29-year-old MP for Burnley, was another prominent member of the group, where he reportedly posted over 2,000 messages. Within the private chat, dubbed 'Trigger Me Timbers,' Mr. Ryan allegedly engaged in homophobic banter with others, making light of a fellow Labour MP's sexuality. In a series of posts, Mr. Ryan also made cruel remarks about a local Labour leader and a longtime lollipop man in Greater Manchester named Colin Bailey. Dame Angela told Times Radio that she was shocked by the posts and emphasized that an investigation was underway. 'I think anyone can make mistakes and when they make mistakes they apologize. We've seen the apologies from both men,' she said. 'Andrew Gwynne has been sacked and had his membership of the party suspended administratively while there is an ongoing investigation to get to the context. I will await the outcome of that.' Oliver Ryan, the 29-year-old MP for Burnley, was another leading member of the group, where he reportedly posted over 2,000 messages. In the private chat, called 'Trigger Me Timbers,' Mr. Ryan allegedly engaged in homophobic banter, joking about a fellow Labour MP being gay. The vile posts led to the dramatic dismissal of health minister Andrew Gwynne after The Mail on Sunday brought them to the attention of Downing Street on Saturday. Dame Angela told Sky News of Mr. Ryan - who was not an MP at the time: 'My understanding is the Chief Whip will be seeing him today.' Dame Angela told Sky News of Mr. Ryan - who was not an MP at the time: 'My understanding is the Chief Whip will be seeing him today. 'There's an ongoing investigation into the entirety of that WhatsApp group, Andrew Gwynne has been administratively suspended, that kind of comments are not acceptable. 'So the Prime Minister has taken a very strong stance straight away on all of this as soon as it came to light.' A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: 'We have received a small number of complaints relating to publicised messages allegedly from a WhatsApp group. 'A non-crime hate incident has been recorded and we are in contact with our Parliamentary liaison as part of our initial inquiries.' Ashley Dalton, Labour MP for West Lancashire, was appointed to fill Mr Gwynne's previous position today. The Tories have demanded that Sir Keir Starmer take swift action. Former party chairman Richard Holden stated: 'With such hateful remarks being spewed, getting to the bottom of this situation should be Sir Keir Starmer's top priority.' 'Sir Keir should not hide behind the process to delay action, especially with concerns that there were more MPs, councillors and Labour members involved.' Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart stated: 'That was a big WhatsApp group with a lot of other Labour members on. 'Did any of them step in at the time? Did any of them call that out? If the Prime Minister doesn't take action against everyone in that group, very quickly, we know that there is still a problem in the Labour Party.' Last night, Mr Ryan was compelled to issue an apology, stating that he regrets his comments. He said: 'Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a member of a WhatsApp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne. 'Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them. I regret not speaking out at the time, and I recognize that failing to do so was wrong. 'I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said. 'I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today and for that I wholeheartedly apologize. 'I will cooperate fully with the Labour Party's investigation.' Mr Ryan is a long-time friend of Mr Gwynne, who posted messages that involved him mocking a pensioner who did not vote Labour and wishing her dead. Mr Gwynne was immediately dismissed as a minister and also suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation. Mr Ryan is one of the youngest MPs and was a Labour councillor for nine years before being elected to Parliament last year
Labour Party Whatsapp Group Expulsion Angela Eagle Andrew Gwynne Oliver Ryan Scandal Racism Sexism Anti-Semitism
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