A second Labour MP, Oliver Ryan, representing Burnley, has issued a formal apology following the controversy surrounding offensive messages shared in a WhatsApp group, which also led to the dismissal of fellow MP Andrew Gwynne from his ministerial role. Ryan admitted that his own comments within the group were “completely unacceptable” and expressed deep regret for not speaking out against the inappropriate content shared by other members.
Andrew Gwynne, who served as the health minister, was sacked after the Mail on Sunday exposed a series of offensive and abusive messages he posted in the group, reportedly named Trigger Me Timbers. Gwynne’s messages included shocking remarks, such as expressing hope that a 72-year-old woman would die soon after she complained to her local councillor about bin collections. He also made sexist jokes about Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, racist remarks targeting Labour MP Diane Abbott, and antisemitic comments, including mocking the name of an American psychologist by suggesting it sounded “too Jewish” and questioning if he was part of Mossad.
In his statement, Ryan acknowledged his failure to act, saying, “I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said.” He admitted to making regrettable comments himself, which he now condemns, adding, “I wholeheartedly apologise for my actions and words, which do not reflect my values or the standards expected of someone in public office.”
Ryan revealed that the WhatsApp group was created by Gwynne, his former employer, during his time as a councillor on Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council. He was a member of the group from 2019 until early 2022 before being elected as an MP in July last year. He confirmed his full cooperation with the Labour Party’s investigation into the matter, emphasizing his commitment to accountability and transparency.
The scandal has drawn widespread condemnation from both political figures and the public. Independent councillor Kaleel Khan reported the incident as a hate crime to the police after receiving concerns from constituents. Khan criticized the lack of intervention from group members, stating, “What worries me is when you have elected officials mocking women, black people, Jewish people, and even constituents. It’s unacceptable.” He also called for an internal investigation within Tameside Borough Council regarding the actions of councillors involved in the group.
Conservative shadow cabinet office minister Alex Burghart weighed in, questioning whether any members of the WhatsApp group challenged Gwynne’s offensive remarks at the time. “Did any of them step in? Did any of them call it out?” he asked during an interview with Sky News. Burghart described Gwynne’s message about the elderly woman as “a nasty attempt to belittle an old person” and labeled the antisemitic remark as “sinister.”
In response to the growing outrage, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reiterated his commitment to maintaining high ethical standards among public officials. A government spokesperson stated, “The Prime Minister is determined to uphold high standards of those in public office and will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet these standards.” The Labour Party echoed this stance, promising swift disciplinary action against any individuals found to have breached the party’s code of conduct.
This incident has sparked a broader debate about the culture within political circles, the accountability of public officials for their private communications, and the role of social media platforms in facilitating such behavior. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity, respect, and responsibility for those entrusted with public office.
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