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Health Minister Andrew Gwynne sacked over messages | Health Minister Andrew Gwynne sacked over messages |
(32 minutes later) | |
Health Minister Andrew Gwynne has apologised for "badly misjudged" WhatsApp messages after he was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer. | Health Minister Andrew Gwynne has apologised for "badly misjudged" WhatsApp messages after he was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer. |
The MP for Gorton and Denton was also suspended from the Labour Party after the Mail on Sunday reported, external he had sent a string of offensive and abusive messages, insulting constituents, fellow MPs and councillors. | |
A government spokesperson said: "The prime minister is determined to uphold high standards of conduct in public office and lead a government in the service of working people. He will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet these standards, as he has in this case." | A government spokesperson said: "The prime minister is determined to uphold high standards of conduct in public office and lead a government in the service of working people. He will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet these standards, as he has in this case." |
Gwynne said on X that he understood the prime minister and Labour's decision, and "while very sad to have been suspended, will support them in any way I can". | |
A Labour spokesperson said Gwynne has been "administratively suspended" as a party member as it investigates "comments made in this WhatsApp group in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures". | |
"Swift action will be taken if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members," the spokesperson added. | |
In one instance reported by the Mail on Sunday, Gwynne allegedly said he hoped a 72-year-old woman would soon be dead, after she wrote to a local councillor about bin collections. | In one instance reported by the Mail on Sunday, Gwynne allegedly said he hoped a 72-year-old woman would soon be dead, after she wrote to a local councillor about bin collections. |
The councillor is said to have shared the woman's letter in a WhatsApp group containing Labour figures, which is where Gwynne wrote his response. | The councillor is said to have shared the woman's letter in a WhatsApp group containing Labour figures, which is where Gwynne wrote his response. |