A second Labour MP has been suspended from the party amid a row over alleged sexist, homophobic and racist messages in a constituency WhatsApp group.
Labour has announced that Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has been administratively suspended from the party after a meeting with the chief whip Sir Alan Campbell this afternoon.
The scandal had already cost Andrew Gwynne his job as a junior health minister, and now Mr Ryan, who used to be his assistant, has also been suspended by the party.
It comes amid claims that the WhatsApp group – titled “Trigger Me Timbers” – had been flagged to the party a year ago by a local councillor.
A Labour Party 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. Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members.”
Earlier, Greater Manchester Police said a “non-crime hate incident” had been recorded over the chat, and that officers are making inquiries.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Mr Ryan said: “Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a member of a WhatsApp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne. Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them. I regret not speaking out at the time and I recognise that failing to do so was wrong.
“I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said. I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today, and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise. I will cooperate fully with the Labour Party’s investigation.”
Mr Ryan is accused of taking part with others in homophobic banter, joking about a fellow Labour MP being gay.
Mr Ryan has also been accused of making cruel remarks, in a series of posts within the group, about a local Labour leader and lifelong lollipop man in Greater Manchester called Colin Bailey.
Minister Dame Angela Eagle told Times Radio that she had been shocked by the posts, but added: “I think anyone can make mistakes, and when they make mistakes they apologise. We’ve seen the apologies from both men.”
In another message posted in the group, seen by The Mail on Sunday, Mr Gwynne allegedly wrote a mock reply to a complaint from a 72-year-old constituent.
He is said to have written: “Dear resident, F*** your bins. I’m re-elected and without your vote. Screw you. PS: Hopefully you’ll have croaked it by the all-outs [council elections].”
He is also accused of making racist comments about veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott, and sexist comments about deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the paper claimed.
His comments were further reported to have included antisemitic slights and a joke about a constituent being “mown down” by a truck.
The Tories have demanded Sir Keir expel the two MPs from the Labour Party.
Conservative MP Richard Holden, the shadow paymaster general, said: “With two MPs suspended in just two days for their vile remarks, it is now clear how deep the rot is inside Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party.
“But Sir Keir cannot now try and sweep this under the carpet. He should show some leadership, do the right – and decent – thing, and expel them both.
“Anything less will show that his commitment to integrity is no more than lip service from the Labour Party.”
