Labour suspends 11 councillors throughout WhatsApp group probe

Labour has suspended 11 councillors in Larger Manchester as a part of an investigation right into a WhatsApp group the place offensive messages had been shared.

The group, revealed by the Mail on Sunday over the weekend, has already led to the suspension of two Labour MPs within the area.

Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne was suspended on Saturday, admitting he had made “badly misjudged” feedback. He was additionally sacked as a well being minister.

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan was then suspended on Monday, saying earlier that he had made feedback “which I deeply remorse”.

It’s understood that the suspensions – from Tameside and Stockport councils – relate to alleged membership of the group, named Set off Me Timbers, which was set as much as co-ordinate Labour’s campaigning within the native space.

It’s not clear why the councillors have been suspended and Labour has not introduced proof the councillors posted offensive messages.

They embrace Allison Gwynne, Andrew Gwynne’s spouse, who’s a councillor on Tameside council, and Brenda Warrington, its former chief.

A Labour Celebration spokesperson stated: “As a part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a gaggle of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Celebration.

“As quickly as this group was dropped at our consideration, an intensive investigation was launched consistent with the Labour Celebration’s guidelines and procedures and this course of is ongoing.

“Swift motion will at all times be taken the place people are discovered to have breached the excessive requirements anticipated of them as Labour Celebration members.”

Andrew Gwynne stated in a press release after his sacking on Saturday evening he regretted his feedback, and apologised for “any offence prompted”.

In messages seen by the Mail on Sunday, he had stated he hoped a 72-year-old girl would quickly be useless after she wrote to her native councillor about bin collections.

The newspaper stated Gwynne additionally joked a couple of constituent being “mown down” by a truck.

Ryan’s messages had been despatched earlier than he was elected as an MP however had been reported within the Each day Mail on Sunday night.

They seem to indicate Ryan mocking one other Labour MP for his sexuality, and denigrating the vice-chairman of the native Labour Celebration.

In his assertion, Ryan stated: “I didn’t see each message, however I settle for accountability for not being extra proactive in difficult what was stated.

“I additionally made some feedback myself which I deeply remorse and wouldn’t make at present and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise.”

The BBC understands the councillors suspended from Labour are:

• Cllr Claire Reid, Tameside Council
• Cllr Jack Naylor, Tameside Council
• Cllr George Newton, Tameside Council
• Cllr Vincent Ricci, Tameside Council
• Cllr Charlotte Martin, Tameside Council
• Cllr Allison Gwynne, Tameside Council
• Cllr George Jones, Tameside Council
• Cllr Brenda Warrington, Tameside Council
• Cllr Denise Ward, Tameside Council
• Cllr David Sedgwick, Stockport Council
• Cllr Holly McCormack, Stockport Council

The BBC has approached the councillors for remark.