Two MPs – Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne – have already been suspended from the Labour Party for messages posted in the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp group
Eleven Labour councillors have been suspended as part of the party’s probe into vile comments posted in a WhatsApp group.
Two MPs – Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne – have already been suspended from Labour for messages posted in the “Trigger Me Timbers” group.
A Labour Party spokesperson said on Tuesday: “As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party.
“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.
“Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members.”
Mr Gwynne was also sacked as a Health Minister by Keir Starmer at the weekend after he allegedly joked that he hoped an elderly woman would die after she asked about her bins.
Other messages included a racist comment about veteran MP Diane Abbott and sharing a sexist post about Angela Rayner performing a sex act.
The MP for Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester said he deeply regretted his “badly misjudged comments” and apologised for “any offence caused” in a statement.
Mr Ryan, 29, was also hauled before Chief Whip Alan Campbell on Monday after he admitted to making “unacceptable” comments in the WhatsApp group made up of Labour councillors and activists in Greater Manchester. He was later stripped of the whip, meaning he now sits as an independent in Parliament.
Mr Ryan said he had been a member of the group between 2019 and 2022 and regretted not “speaking out at the time” over comments which were “completely unacceptable”.
“I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said,” he said. “I also made same comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise.”
