Burnley MP Oliver Ryan suspended by Labour over messages on WhatsApp group
The Labour MP Oliver Ryan has been suspended by the party over his membership and comments on a WhatsApp group that featured offensive messages, including alleged racism and sexism.
The party took action against the Burnley MP after the emergence of details about the Trigger Me Timbers group, mainly involving a group of councillors and party activists in Greater Manchester.
A Labour spokesperson said: “As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, Oliver Ryan has been administratively suspended as a member of the Labour party.
“As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was immediately launched and this process is ongoing in line with the Labour party’s rules and procedures. Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour party members.”
Ryan met Labour’s chief whip, Alan Campbell, on Monday afternoon. Being suspended from the party means he automatically loses the Labour whip in the Commons.
was sacked as public health minister
on Saturday and also lost the whip after it was reported that he used the group to joke about hoping an older constituent who had complained about bin collections would die before the next election, and to make comments about Angela Rayner, Diane Abbott and others.
More details soon …