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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. | 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. | 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". |
| He follows Andrew Gwynne, who was also sacked as a health minister, in losing the whip after his participation in the WhatsApp group was revealed. | He follows Andrew Gwynne, who was also sacked as a health minister, in losing the whip after his participation in the WhatsApp group was revealed. |
| 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." | 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." | 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 - sent to the WhatsApp group named Trigger Me Timbers - are reported to show Ryan mocking a Labour MP for his sexuality, and denigrating the vice-chairman of the local Labour Party. | The messages - sent to the WhatsApp group named Trigger Me Timbers - are reported to show Ryan mocking a Labour MP for his sexuality, and denigrating the vice-chairman of the local Labour Party. |
| In a statement, a Labour spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, Oliver Ryan has been administratively suspended as a member of the Labour Party. | In a statement, a Labour spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, Oliver Ryan has been administratively suspended as a member of the Labour Party. |
| "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was immediately launched and this process is ongoing in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures. | "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was immediately launched and this process is ongoing in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures. |
| "Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members." | "Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members." |
| 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 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?" | 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." | 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. | 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. | Three Tameside councillors have also resigned from their executive duties while a Labour Party investigation takes place. |
| Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said a non-crime hate incident had been recorded after a "small number of complaints relating to publicised messages allegedly from a WhatsApp group", without confirming the identity of those involved. | Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said a non-crime hate incident had been recorded after a "small number of complaints relating to publicised messages allegedly from a WhatsApp group", without confirming the identity of those involved. |
| A non-crime hate incident is a record kept by police of speech or actions deemed hostile to characteristics like race, sex or disability. | A non-crime hate incident is a record kept by police of speech or actions deemed hostile to characteristics like race, sex or disability. |
| Abbott told the BBC's World at One she was not surprised to learn about "distasteful" comments reportedly made about her in the WhatsApp group. | Abbott told the BBC's World at One she was not surprised to learn about "distasteful" comments reportedly made about her in the WhatsApp group. |
| Asked for her reaction, the Labour MP said: "Well, it's very distasteful but to be frank, it's not the first time people have said things like that about me here in the House of Commons and I just have to, as it were, keep my chin up and get on with my job." | Asked for her reaction, the Labour MP said: "Well, it's very distasteful but to be frank, it's not the first time people have said things like that about me here in the House of Commons and I just have to, as it were, keep my chin up and get on with my job." |
| She added: "It's MPs of all parties, it's just the way it is. It's very sad that, in 2025, people haven't moved beyond that. | She added: "It's MPs of all parties, it's just the way it is. It's very sad that, in 2025, people haven't moved beyond that. |
| "But my response is always to get on my job. After all, there are people of colour in other walks of life that have to suffer much worse abuse." | "But my response is always to get on my job. After all, there are people of colour in other walks of life that have to suffer much worse abuse." |
| Abbott said she knew Gwynne and she "wouldn't want to say I'm surprised" by the reported comments. | Abbott said she knew Gwynne and she "wouldn't want to say I'm surprised" by the reported comments. |
| "Those sorts of remarks are made by too many MPs when they think I can't hear," she added. | "Those sorts of remarks are made by too many MPs when they think I can't hear," she added. |
| Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said it was "quite right he [Ryan] was suspended for being involved in that group, and apparently posting some offensive messages himself". | Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said it was "quite right he [Ryan] was suspended for being involved in that group, and apparently posting some offensive messages himself". |
| Philp added: "I'm afraid what this shows us is exactly what Labour MPs and even a Labour minister think about the public. And quite clearly these senior Labour figures have contempt for the people who elected them which I find frankly appalling." | Philp added: "I'm afraid what this shows us is exactly what Labour MPs and even a Labour minister think about the public. And quite clearly these senior Labour figures have contempt for the people who elected them which I find frankly appalling." |
| West Lancashire MP Ashley Dalton has been appointed to replace Gwynne as health minister. | |
| Dalton became an MP in 2023, winning the seat of West Lancashire and since the election had been serving as the parliamentary private secretary to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. | |
| At the same time, the government announced that Douglas Alexander would become a Cabinet Office minister with responsibility for relations with devolved governments, in addition to his current role in the business department. | |
| Other appointments see Lord Moraes and ex-MP Lord Wilson of Sedgefield become government whips, responsible for party discipline. |