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| Oliver Ryan suspended as Labour MP over Whatsapp messages | Oliver Ryan suspended as Labour MP over Whatsapp messages |
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| Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has become the second MP to be suspended from the Labour parliamentary party over his membership of a WhatsApp group which contained offensive messages. | |
| Ryan was summoned to a meeting with Chief Whip Sir Alan Campbell, after the Mail on Sunday published the messages. | |
| Ahead of the meeting he issued an apology in which he said the comments in the group had been "completely unacceptable" and he regretted "not speaking out at the time". | Ahead of the meeting he issued an apology in which he said the comments in the group had been "completely unacceptable" and he regretted "not speaking out at the time". |
| In his statement, Ryan said: "I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said." | |
| He added: "I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise." | |
| The messages appear to show Ryan mocking a Labour MP for his sexuality, and denigrating the vice-chairman of the local Labour Party. | |
| He follows Andrew Gwynne, who was also sacked as a health minister, in losing the whip after their participation in the WhatsApp group was revealed. | |
| In the messages seen by the Mail on Sunday, Gwynne, who is the MP for Gorton and Denton, appears to suggest a councillor should respond to a 72-year old constituent asking about bin collections with the message: "I'm re-elected and without your vote. Screw you. PS Hopefully you'll have croaked it by the all outs [the local elections]." | |
| In another exchange, asked if an American psychologist will be attending an event, Gwynne replies: "No. He sounds too militaristic and too Jewish. Is he in Mossad?" | |
| On a different occasion he discusses fellow Labour MP Diane Abbott representing the party at Prime Minister's Questions saying: "Yep because its Black History Month." | |
| In a social media post, Gwynne said he apologised for any offence caused by the "badly misjudged" comments. | |
| Three Tameside councillors have also resigned from their executive duties while a Labour Party investigation takes place. | |
| This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. | This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. |
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