UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour takes decisive action by suspending 12 councillors and two MPs over their involvement in a controversial WhatsApp group, that featured racist messages.
Twelve Labour councillors were removed from the party for their participation in the “Trigger Me Timbers” WhatsApp group.
Which members faced suspension from the Labour Party over WhatsApp chat?
As reported by The Guardian, Labour has removed councillors from Stockport and Tameside.
Among the suspended members are Allison Gwynne, the wife of Andrew Gwynne, ex-council leader Brenda Warrington, and Claire Reid, who serves on Labour’s national policy forum.
Reports suggest around 44 individuals were part of the WhatsApp group.
What did the Labour’s spokesperson say about the member’s suspension?
A representative from the party stated,
“As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party.”
The spokesperson added that once the group was identified, a detailed investigation was initiated in line with Labour’s guidelines. The inquiry is still ongoing, and prompt action will be taken against those who have violated the party’s high standards.
Which other two MPs were sacked by the Labour Party in connection with the WhatsApp group?
Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton, was removed from his ministerial role and suspended from the Labour Party following the leak of messages he shared in the group.
The scandal was initially reported by the Mail on Sunday. Mr Gwynne was accused of posting racist and sexist remarks dating back to 2019–2022.
He allegedly sent messages in which he suggested a local cycling advocate should be “mown down” by a lorry and expressed a wish that a non-Labour pensioner would ‘croak’ before an election.
Further messages obtained by the media revealed that Andrew Gwynne described a constituent as a “grade A wanker” and commented, “The public are arseholes. I know, I’ve met them…”
It was reported that he also referred to a constituent as ‘an illiterate retard’ and described a fellow councillor as a “fat, middle-aged, useless thicket.”
Another MP, Oliver Ryan, representing Burnley in Lancashire, was suspended by the party on Monday due to his involvement in the WhatsApp group and offensive comments he made there.
What were the stances of Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan after their suspension?
In an apologetic post on X, Andrew Gwynne stated, “I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offence I’ve caused. I’ve served the Labour Party all my life and it was a huge honour to be appointed a minister by Keir Starmer.”
I deeply regret my badly misjudged commments and apologise for any offense I’ve caused. I’ve served the Labour Party all my life and it was a huge honour to be appointed a minister by Keir Starmer. 1/2
— Andrew Gwynne MP (@GwynneMP) February 8, 2025
Mr Ryan posted on X and admitted that some remarks made in the group were “absolutely unacceptable.” He said,
“I regret not speaking out at the time, and I recognise that failing to do so was wrong.”
How did MPs respond to the WhatsApp scandal?
Tory shadow paymaster general, Richard Holden, said Keir Starmer must prioritise addressing the current situation of Labour’s MPs involved in a controversial WhatsApp group.
Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, condemned the language allegedly used by the MP in his messages as “unacceptable,” and stated that in some cases, it was “alarming.”
Dame Angela Eagle, the Home Office Minister, said,
“My understanding is the chief whip will be seeing [Mr Ryan] today,”
adding,
“The prime minister has taken a very strong stance straight away on all of this as soon as it came to light.”