Labour minister who was sacked after a Mail on Sunday investigation revealed he was part of a racist and sexist WhatsApp group is now facing calls for him to quit as an MP
A Labour Minister who was sacked after a Mail on Sunday investigation revealed he was part of a racist and sexist WhatsApp group is now facing calls to quit as an MP.
Andrew Gwynne was dismissed as Health Minister hours after the MoS showed Number 10 and the Labour officials vile messages he and others posted on a WhatsApp group called Trigger Me Timbers.
Mr Gwynne, 50, who represents the Manchester seat of Denton and Gorton, had his Labour whip taken away immediately, as did Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, who was also a member of the WhatsApp group.
In the group, Mr Gwynne joked that a 72-year-old pensioner who complained about her bins would be dead before the next council elections.
He also mocked veteran Labour Parliamentarian Diane Abbott for becoming the first black MP to perform at the Opposition Dispatch Box during Prime Minister's Questions, as well as deriding a person whose name was 'too Jewish,' asking 'Is he in Mossad?'
Since quitting as a Minister, Mr Gwynne has kept a low profile as an MP, rarely attending any local events, and has not been seen in Parliament.
Local residents have been questioning if he deserves to receive his annual £93,904 as an MP when he does so little, said sources.
Last week, more than a hundred protesters gathered outside Denton Town Hall – where Mr Gwynne has his office – demanding he stands down as an MP.
The protesters chanted 'Andrew Gwynne in the bin,' a reference to him joking he wanted the Stockport pensioner dead after she dared to complain about her bins.
Others held placards that read: 'Trigger Me a By-election Now!,' while a huge sign was hung below the Denton Town Hall sign, which read: 'ANDREW GWYNNE, QUIT NOW!!!'
As well as Mr Gwynne, the protesters also demanded that that the 11 Labour councillors from Tameside and Stockport councils who were members of Trigger Me Timbers must also quit, one of whom is Mr Gwynne's wife, Allison, 50. She represents the Tameside ward of Denton North East.
The MoS expose led to a national outcry over the vile messages a Labour Minister, an MP and over a dozen of the party's councillors and senior officials sent each other.
The Labour Party suspended all members of Trigger Me Timbers pending an investigation, while Mr Gwynne is facing a separate Parliamentary Standards inquiry.
Greater Manchester Police launched it own probe after receiving dozens of complaints, but last month it emerged that the force decided no further action will be taken.
After three months, however, local anger in the North-West has not abated.
Two weeks ago Mr and Mrs Gwynne were spotted at Denton's Crownpoint shopping park and were met by dozens of shoppers booing and heckling when they tried to get out of their car.
Last week, Mr Ryan – one of the youngest MPs in Parliament at the age of 29 – faced a vote of no confidence motion at Burnley Council, during which all Labour councillors walked out at the time of voting.
The motion did not pass, but councillors strongly condemned their MP during a fiery debate.
Last night, a Labour spokesman said the party will not give a timeline when its investigation will be concluded.
He added: 'Andrew Gwynne has been administratively suspended as a member of the Labour Party. We are investigating comments made in this WhatsApp group in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures.
'Swift action will be taken if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members.'
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