Two Labour MPs, Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan, are facing expulsion from the party after racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic messages were discovered in a private WhatsApp group they were members of. The scandal has led to calls for swift action from the Conservative Party.
A Labour minister today sidestepped questions about whether MPs involved in a vile 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 potential 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 after The Mail on Sunday brought the messages to Downing Street's attention on Saturday. It has now been revealed that Oliver Ryan, the 29-year-old MP for Burnley, was another leading member of the group, where he posted over 2,000 messages. In the private chat, named 'Trigger Me Timbers,' Mr. Ryan participated with others in what appears to be homophobic banter, making lighthearted remarks about a fellow Labour MP's sexuality. In a series of posts, Mr. Ryan also made cruel remarks about a local Labour leader and a lifelong lollipop man in Greater Manchester named Colin Bailey. Dame Angela told Times Radio that she was shocked by the posts and stressed that an ongoing process was underway. 'I think anyone can make mistakes and when they make mistakes they apologise. 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.' It has also emerged that Oliver Ryan, the 29-year-old MP for Burnley, was another leading member of the group, where he has posted more than 2,000 messages. In the private chat, called 'Trigger Me Timbers,' Mr. Ryan took part with others in apparently homophobic banter as they joked about a fellow Labour MP being gay (pictured). The vile posts led to the dramatic sacking of health minister Andrew Gwynne (right, pictured with his wife Allison Gwynne, left) 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 old job today. The Tories have demanded Sir Keir Starmer take swift action. Former party chairman Richard Holden said: '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 said: '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 forced to issue an apology, saying 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 recognise 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 apologise. 'I will co-operate fully with the Labour Party's investigation.' Mr Ryan is a long-time friend of Mr Gwynne (right, pictured with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2019), who posted messages which involved him mocking a pensioner who did not vote Labour and wishing her dead. Mr Gwynne (right, pictured greeting the late Queen) was sacked immediately 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 Racism Sexism Anti-Semitism Andrew Gwynne Oliver Ryan Keir Starmer Expulsion
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