Political reporter
PA MediaBurnley 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”.
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.
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