UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Former health minister Andrew Gwynne faces calls to step down after a newly leaked WhatsApp chat revealed that he made offensive remarks toward a priest.
As reported by The Guardian, a practising Anglican priest has insisted on Andrew Gwynne’s resignation following a leaked chat where the MP suggested she should be “burned on a bonfire.”
How did a leaked WhatsApp chat expose bullying in Labour circles?
The WhatsApp conversation, which included two Labour MPs and other party members, was likened to “childish bullying and derogatory taunts.”
More than 100 references to the vicar were revealed in the chat, where Labour MPs and local councillors made offensive comments about the priest’s weight.
One said, “Imagine [her] in a bike.”
Another member replied,
“Haven’t you seen her pootling round Reddish. She thinks she’s a country vicar in the genteel shires, wicker basket and everything.”
A councillor remarked that the vicar “needs a more intense climb than Gorton Road.”
Messages in the group repeatedly insulted the vicar, describing her as a “massive bitch” and “the Laziest Vicar of 2018 Award Winner.”
A controversial series of messages shows the group members discussed pursuing “retribution” against the priest, a fellow Labour Party member.
Referring to Bonfire Night, one member makes a remark, to which Gwynne responds, “Can’t we burn her on the bonfire?”
In response to a comment that she is “not flammable,” Gwynne replies, “Oh, stop it. Just think of the crackling!”
What did the priest say about Andrew Gwynne’s leaked messages?
The anonymous priest said,
“When reports first revealed Andrew Gwynne’s ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp group, I couldn’t believe they would be so reckless, though the messages themselves were sadly not unexpected.”
She added,
“I fully expected that I would be one of the people they discussed in such derogatory terms, although it is painful to read in a national newspaper. My feelings aside, this has upset my family and friends enormously.”
The priest expressed her desire to break her silence because the focus has largely centred on the politicians’ actions, leaving the personal and communal toll of the controversy unaddressed.
She stated, “There is a deep sense of hurt and betrayal among the community, that people they supported and trusted would speak about them in such a denigrating manner,” adding, “I have spoken with some of those also mentioned, who like me feel hurt and humiliated, who have lost trust in those that were supposed to represent them.”
The unmanned priest said,
“We have been bullied, mocked and personally insulted in the most horrendous language, including wishing the death of a pensioner and an awful violent death on a cyclist.
What did the priest demand from Andrew Gwynne?
The priest demanded Gwynne’s resignation, stating that he could no longer serve as an MP.
She remarked, “How can he possibly represent people that he despises, people that he has dehumanised?” adding, “Because what we say and think in private does impact on what we think and do in public.”
The anonymous priest said, “The argument may be that this was a private group, but it is naive to imagine that the attitudes displayed didn’t impact on the group’s dealings with their constituents.”
How many Labour MPs and councillors were suspended over offensive messages?
Two Labour MPs and 11 councillors have been removed from the Labour Party due to their connection to the WhatsApp group.
MP for Gorton and Denton, Andrew Gwynne, was dismissed from his ministerial role and suspended from Labour after private chat messages came to light.
He is accused of sending messages suggesting a cycling campaigner be “hit by a lorry” and expressing a wish for a pensioner who did not back Labour to “die” before the election.
Gwynne issued an apology for his “badly misjudged” comments, stating that despite his suspension, he remains committed to supporting Labour and its leadership.
A second Labour MP, Oliver Ryan, the MP for Burnley and former Tameside councillor, was suspended from the party due to his involvement and remarks in the leaked WhatsApp group.
In a statement on X, he admitted that some comments in the group were “completely unacceptable” and added, “I regret not speaking out at the time and recognize that failing to do so was wrong.”
— Oliver Ryan MP (@OliverRyanUK) February 9, 2025
Labour has removed 11 councillors from the party over their involvement in the controversial group “Trigger Me Timbers.”
Two councillors were from Stockport and nine were from Tameside. The Tameside councillors are believed to include Allison Gwynne, former council leader Brenda Warrington, and Claire Reid, who serves on Labour’s national policy forum.
What did the Labour spokesperson say about the WhatsApp group?
A Labour Party spokesperson stated,
“As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party.”
He added,
“As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with the Labour Party’s rules and procedures and this process is ongoing.”