Labour Suspends 11 Councillors Over Offensive WhatsApp Group Scandal

The suspensions follow the removal of two MPs from the party for offensive comments made in the same group chat.

The Labour Party has suspended 11 councillors, primarily from Tameside and Stockport councils, for involvement in a WhatsApp group called 'Trigger Me Timbers' containing offensive messages.
Andrew Gwynne, former health minister, and Oliver Ryan, Burnley MP, were earlier suspended for making racist, sexist, and offensive remarks in the group, including derogatory comments about constituents and fellow party members.
Allison Gwynne, wife of Andrew Gwynne, and Claire Reid, a member of Labour’s national policy forum, are among the councillors suspended as part of the ongoing investigation.
Labour leader Keir Starmer acted swiftly, removing Gwynne from his ministerial role, while Ryan apologized for failing to condemn the comments at the time.
Party insiders report that the group, originally created for routine campaign discussions, devolved into a platform for inappropriate remarks, prompting calls for stronger oversight within Labour's ranks.