Burnley MP Oliver Ryan said he was a member of the WhatsApp chat that MP Andrew Gwynne was sacked as a minister over
Labour MP Oliver Ryan has said he “deeply regrets” comments he made in a WhatsApp group, a day after health minister Andrew Gwynne was sacked after making offensive remarks in the same chat.
The Burnley MP said he was a member of the WhatsApp chat that Mr Gwynne was sacked as a minister over and apologised for some of his own comments “which I deeply regret and would not make today”.
“Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a member of a WhatsApp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne,” he said in a statement posted on X.
“Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them,” he wrote.
“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.
He added he will fully cooperate with an investigation launched by the Labour Party over the comments.
An investigation is under way into the WhatsApp group called Trigger Me Timbers, which is said to include more than a dozen Labour councillors and party officials.
A Government source told the PA news agency: “Oliver Ryan’s remarks were unacceptable and deeply disappointing.
“While a Labour Party investigation is already under way, the chief whip will also be speaking to him and no action is off the table.”
According to reports in the Mail on Sunday, Gwynne joked about an elderly voter, saying he hoped she would die.
The WhatsApp group, which included Labour councillors, party officials, and at least one other MP, also contained remarks mocking Diane Abbott’s historic achievement as the first Black MP to represent their party at Prime Minister’s Questions.