Labour suspends 11 Councillors after a leaked WhatsApp group revealed disturbing messages

Labour has suspended 11 councillors from Greater Manchester following shocking revelations about their involvement in a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were allegedly exchanged. The scandal, first exposed by the Mail on Sunday, has already led to the suspension of two MPs and has plunged the party into further crisis.

The group, named Trigger Me Timbers, was reportedly created to co-ordinate Labour’s local election campaigns. However, leaked messages have led to an internal probe, with Labour taking swift action against those involved. Among the suspended councillors are high-profile figures, including Allison Gwynne—wife of sacked health minister Andrew Gwynne—and former Tameside council leader Brenda Warrington.

Andrew Gwynne was suspended on Saturday after admitting to making “badly misjudged” comments, including expressing hope that a 72-year-old woman would soon be dead after she complained about bin collections. Another message revealed that he had joked about a constituent being “mown down” by a truck. He was immediately dismissed from his ministerial role and now faces further scrutiny over his conduct.

Oliver Ryan, MP for Burnley, followed on Monday. Leaked messages suggest he mocked a fellow Labour MP for his sexuality and insulted a local party vice-chairman. Ryan expressed deep regret, admitting that while he had not seen every message, he failed to challenge inappropriate remarks.

While Labour has not presented direct evidence that the suspended councillors posted offensive messages, their alleged participation in the group has resulted in immediate action. A Labour spokesperson stated:

“As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with Labour Party rules. This process is ongoing, and where individuals are found to have breached our high standards, swift action will follow.”

The councillors facing suspension include:

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

The suspensions have thrown Labour into turmoil as critics question whether the party has lost control over its internal culture. With two MPs already ousted and an investigation ongoing, Labour faces a growing crisis just months after forming the government.

The BBC has approached the suspended councillors for comment, but none have responded. As the probe deepens, the scandal threatens to overshadow Labour’s attempts to maintain discipline and restore trust.

THE TELEGRAPH

Tim Stanley ridicules Labour’s response to the Andrew Gwynne scandal, arguing that the party has gone from one extreme to another in just 24 hours. Gwynne was sacked for racist and sexist remarks, but his replacement, Ashley Dalton, is now under fire for allegedly believing people can self-identify as llamas—a claim Stanley mocks as absurd. He quips that Dalton has even requested straw bedding in her office.

Stanley’s piece suggests that Labour’s reaction to controversies is becoming increasingly erratic, swapping one PR disaster for another. He portrays the party as lurching from scandal to absurdity, particularly under Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves. The appointment of Dalton, who has previously expressed strong views on identity politics, could spark further backlash, especially from critics like Kemi Badenoch.

The article is heavily satirical, using humour to highlight what Stanley sees as Labour’s mismanagement and ideological confusion. The underlying argument is that Labour, in its attempt to avoid controversy, is veering into political farce.

SKY NEWS

Labour has suspended 11 councillors, mostly from Tameside Council, after revelations about their involvement in a controversial WhatsApp group that led to Andrew Gwynne’s sacking as health minister. Two of the suspended councillors are from Stockport Council, and reports suggest that Gwynne’s wife, Allison Gwynne, is among them.

This follows Labour’s decision to sack Gwynne and suspend MP Oliver Ryan over messages in the group, which reportedly contained inappropriate content. The party stated that a thorough investigation is underway and that those violating Labour’s high standards will face consequences.

Labour is attempting to contain the fallout from the scandal, having already faced criticism over its handling of internal discipline. The suspensions mark a continuation of Keir Starmer’s crackdown on party figures embroiled in controversies, reinforcing his effort to project a more professional image ahead of the next election. However, the scale of the suspensions risks further internal unrest.