Latest news with #OliverRyan
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Labour MP Oliver Ryan reinstated after suspension over vile WhatsApp group where messages mocked pensioners and made misogynistic and homophobic remarks
A Labour MP who was suspended over offensive messages in a WhatsApp group is to have the party whip restored. Oliver Ryan, who represents Burnley, was suspended over his role in the group in which racist, sexist and anti-Semitic messages were exchanged. The vile posts led to the dramatic sacking of health minister Andrew Gwynne after The Mail on Sunday brought them to Downing Street 's attention in February. Mr Ryan received a six-month suspension from Labour after an internal investigation - but will regain the whip when the House of Commons returns next month. The 30-year-old, who won his seat at last summer's general election, posted more than 2,000 messages to the private group chat called Trigger Me Timbers. A Labour Party spokesman said: 'These matters have been investigated thoroughly, in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures. 'The Labour Party took swift action as soon as we became aware of the activity in this WhatsApp Group. 'The party will not hesitate to take action against members who fall short of the high standards we expect, in line with our rules and procedures. 'We cannot comment further on any ongoing investigations.' In the wake of our sister paper's exclusive report, the Daily Mail revealed Mr Ryan took part with others in apparently homophobic exchanges about a fellow Labour MP. Mr Ryan also made cruel remarks about a local Labour leader in Greater Manchester called Colin Bailey. Mr Bailey, a life-long lollipop man who has been a member of the Labour Party for 42 years, was mocked as 'Colin C*mface' by Mr Ryan and Mr Gwynne. In the private chat, called Trigger Me Timbers, Mr Ryan took part with others in apparently homophobic banter as they joke about a fellow Labour MP being gay When informed about the nasty name-calling in February, Mr Bailey said he was 'very angry', adding: 'I thought Oliver was a friend, as I did some work for him. That's the thing, you help these people, and they stab you in the back.' Mr Ryan, who is himself gay, also made inappropriate comments referring to the sexuality of a Labour MP, whom we have chosen not to name. It was also disclosed that Mr Gwynne made racist jokes about veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott, and offensive remarks about Jewish people Additionally, Mr Gwynne posted messages mocking a pensioner who asked Labour politicians for help with her bin collections. A councillor, David Sedgwick, posted the Stockport pensioner's letter on the group, to which Mr Gwynne posted a mock reply on Mr Sedgwick's behalf. He said: 'Dear resident, F*** your bins. I'm re-elected and without your vote. 'Screw you, Dave. 'Ps Hopefully you'll have croaked it by the all-outs [council elections].' The Trigger Me Timbers group was set up in 2019, and consisted of at least two MPs, over a dozen Labour councillors, as well as senior party officials in the Greater Manchester area. After his participation in the group was revealed Mr Ryan issued an apology saying he regretted the remarks. He said: 'Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a member of a WhatsApp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne. 'Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them. 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.' It is understood Labour internal processes continue in relation to Mr Gwynne and a local councillor. Two Labour councillors and a party official were expelled, two councillors received six-month suspensions and three received a formal warning, it is understood. Three other Labour councillors, including David Sedgwick, resigned during the course of an internal investigation.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan's suspension over WhatsApp messages lifted
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan is to have the Labour party whip returned next month, the BBC has MP was suspended from the party in February over his membership of a WhatsApp group with other Labour MPs and councillors which contained offensive Ryan issued an apology at the time in which he said the comments in the group, named Trigger Me Timbers, had been "completely unacceptable" and he regretted "not speaking out at the time".A Labour Party spokesman said: "The Party will not hesitate to take action against members who fall short of the high standards we expect, in line with our rules and procedures". The messages, sent to the WhatsApp group named Trigger Me Timbers, were reported to show Ryan mocking a Labour MP for his sexuality, and denigrating the vice-chairman of the local Labour has been approached for BBC understands the party complaints process remains ongoing in relation to Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and was suspended from the party and sacked as health minister in February after sending offensive messages in the group. 'Swift action' Labour suspended 11 councillors in Greater Manchester for their roles in the group, which was set up to co-ordinate Labour's campaigning in the local Tameside councillors, George Newton and Jack Naylor, have now been expelled from the party, as well as former Stockport councillor Andrew Verdeille, the BBC councillors Alison Gwynne and Claire Reid were handed six-month suspensions from the party, while Tameside councillors George Jones, Vincent Ricci, and Brenda Warrington were handed a formal further action was taken against Tameside Councillor Denise Stockport councillors, David Sedgwick and Holly McCormack resigned during the investigation, as did Tameside councillor Charlotte Martin. A Labour spokesman said that the party "took swift action as soon as we became aware of the activity in this WhatsApp Group"."These matters have been investigated thoroughly, in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures."We cannot comment further on any ongoing investigations." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Lancashire's MPs reflect 12 months on from General Election
It has been 12 months since Labour came to power, winning a landslide general Lancashire, the party took all but two of the 15 seats in the county, with the Conservatives keeping one, and an Independent taking the five Labour MPs keeping their seats, the remaining eight were a new cohort going straight into year on, Labour now has 12 MPs in the county after the Burnley MP Oliver Ryan was suspended over his membership of a WhatsApp group which contained offensive messages. 'Very special' Of the new Labour MPs, Maya Ellis is among those who comes from no political background.A mum of two young children, she described her victory over veteran MP Nigel Evans, who held the seat since 1992, as "a whirlwind".Of her first days at Westminster she said: "It's like starting high school, it's quite big and different, but you know you're meant to be there, it did feel very special."As an MP the business of work starts straight away, not just in Parliament, but in the constituencies as said: "There are lots of different issues and one of the biggest challenges is, you want to support with every single one."I was surprised how many people come to their MP for help. That's a great thing because that means more people are engaged with democracy."On a national level Labour has had a tumultuous 12 months, with recent u-turns on winter fuel payments and its Welfare Reform Bill, as well as having an MP leave to start their own this, Maya Ellis said: "I have complete faith in Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer that they are doing everything they possibly can in making the brave, scary, decisions that are difficult to get us to a better place." 'Fortress Fylde' It is not just Labour that has had a tough 12 being turfed out of office and reduced to their fewest MPs ever, the Conservatives might be wondering what went wrong for to just one MP in Lancashire, it has been up to Andrew Snowden, who represents the Fylde to carry the joked: "We nickname it fortress Fylde, in the sense that it's the last place standing after the battlefield, which was a really sad and difficult night for the Conservative party."It is an odd feeling being the only Conservative for miles in any direction, but I'm proud to be flying the blue flag."Formally the Police and Crime Commissioner for the county, he said: "As police commissioner I was in charge of a £300m odd budget, 6,000 staff, you could immediately go and ask for things to be done, as an MP it's completely different."The Conservatives also lost control of Lancashire County Council to Reform in May's local said: "There's been a lot of anger at mainstream politics and Reform are offering very easy, very magic wand answers to complex questions, we shall see whether those magic answers to complex questions exist."He believes that to win voters back, the Conservatives have to be "the serious party" that is "sound on the economy" but that also stands up for British values. 'Make a difference' Lancashire also has an elected Independent MP in Adnan ran against the Labour incumbent Kate Hollern on a Gaza ticket and won by 123 being an independent with no party behind him, he believes he can "make a difference".Since being elected he says he dealt with "thousands of cases" and said: "My genuine aim is to help people because the MP's office is for many the last resort."When it comes to voting, he said: "I'm thinking about what Blackburn would want me to do and not what some mainstream party will tell me to do, I'm trying my level best to vote with my conscience." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour suspends 11 councillors over WhatsApp group
Labour has suspended eleven councillors in Greater Manchester as part of an investigation into a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were shared. Labour suspended Burnley MP Oliver Ryan on Tuesday over his membership of the group. He followed Andrew Gwynne, who was also sacked as a health minister, in losing the Labour whip. A Labour Party spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party. "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures and this process is ongoing. "Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Labour suspends 11 councillors during WhatsApp group probe
Labour has suspended eleven councillors in Greater Manchester as part of an investigation into a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were suspended Burnley MP Oliver Ryan on Tuesday over his membership of the followed Andrew Gwynne, who was also sacked as a health minister, in losing the Labour whip.A Labour Party spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party. "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures and this process is ongoing."Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
