The Labour Party has suspended 11 councillors in Greater Manchester as part of an investigation into a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were shared. The group, named “Trigger Me Timbers,” was set up to coordinate Labour’s campaigning in the local area.
The suspensions come after two Labour MPs, Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan, were also suspended over their involvement in the group. Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, was sacked as a health minister after admitting to making “badly misjudged” comments. Ryan, the MP for Burnley, also apologized for his comments, saying he “deeply regretted” them.
The suspended councillors include Allison Gwynne, Andrew Gwynne’s wife, and Brenda Warrington, the former leader of Tameside council. A Labour Party spokesperson said the suspensions were part of a thorough investigation into the WhatsApp group and that “swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members”.
The investigation was launched after the Mail on Sunday revealed the existence of the WhatsApp group and the offensive messages shared by its members. The party has faced criticism for its handling of the issue, with some calling for tougher action against those involved.
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