Labour Party Members Face Controversy Over Inflammatory WhatsApp Group Messages
Diane Abbott calls for all involved in a controversial WhatsApp group to resign after racist and sexist remarks are revealed.
Recent revelations surrounding a WhatsApp group associated with Labour Party members have led to significant backlash within the party.
The group, dubbed 'Trigger Me Timbers,' has been implicated in the circulation of messages containing racist, sexist, and antisemitic content.
Notable figures in this controversy include Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, and Oliver Ryan, the MP for Burnley.
Both Gwynne and Ryan have faced consequences for their involvement in the chat.
Gwynne was reportedly sacked from his ministerial position after the comments came to light, and Ryan has had the Labour whip removed due to his participation in the discussions.
Currently, both men remain MPs, although Gwynne is now sitting as an independent.
The focus of the backlash has intensified with comments made about Diane Abbott, the MP for Stoke Newington and Hackney North and the first black woman to be elected to Parliament.
After Abbott called for all members of the WhatsApp group to resign, she noted in an interview with Sky News, "They were offensive remarks, and in 2025, people should know better than to go in for that kind of racist and sexist verbiage."
Reports indicate that the group consisted of around a dozen members, including other Labour party members from the Manchester area.
Previous to the current controversy, concerns were raised about the group's conduct; Gerald Cooney, a former Labour leader in Tameside, reported that he had alerted senior Labour officials about the inflammatory remarks in the group multiple times over the past year.
However, Labour sources indicated that no formal complaints had been logged regarding the messages.
The messages attributed to Gwynne include remarks about Abbott during Parliamentary Questions, comments about the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner that were disparaging and demeaning, as well as offensive remarks about a constituent.
One message allegedly stated a colleague sounded “too Jewish,” while another comment purportedly referred to the local Labour leader in an offensive manner.
Gwynne expressed regret for his comments through a post on X, claiming he deeply regretted his "badly misjudged comments".
Meanwhile, Ryan acknowledged the unacceptable nature of the exchanges in a public statement, attributing some responsibility to himself for not vocally opposing the sentiments expressed in the group.
The Labour leadership has not yet confirmed whether further disciplinary action will be taken against other members identified as participants in the WhatsApp group.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook indicated an ongoing investigation into the incident, stating he is unaware of the extent of comments made by other group members.
The situation continues to evolve as the Labour Party addresses the fallout from these revelations and its implications for party unity and public perception.
The group, dubbed 'Trigger Me Timbers,' has been implicated in the circulation of messages containing racist, sexist, and antisemitic content.
Notable figures in this controversy include Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, and Oliver Ryan, the MP for Burnley.
Both Gwynne and Ryan have faced consequences for their involvement in the chat.
Gwynne was reportedly sacked from his ministerial position after the comments came to light, and Ryan has had the Labour whip removed due to his participation in the discussions.
Currently, both men remain MPs, although Gwynne is now sitting as an independent.
The focus of the backlash has intensified with comments made about Diane Abbott, the MP for Stoke Newington and Hackney North and the first black woman to be elected to Parliament.
After Abbott called for all members of the WhatsApp group to resign, she noted in an interview with Sky News, "They were offensive remarks, and in 2025, people should know better than to go in for that kind of racist and sexist verbiage."
Reports indicate that the group consisted of around a dozen members, including other Labour party members from the Manchester area.
Previous to the current controversy, concerns were raised about the group's conduct; Gerald Cooney, a former Labour leader in Tameside, reported that he had alerted senior Labour officials about the inflammatory remarks in the group multiple times over the past year.
However, Labour sources indicated that no formal complaints had been logged regarding the messages.
The messages attributed to Gwynne include remarks about Abbott during Parliamentary Questions, comments about the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner that were disparaging and demeaning, as well as offensive remarks about a constituent.
One message allegedly stated a colleague sounded “too Jewish,” while another comment purportedly referred to the local Labour leader in an offensive manner.
Gwynne expressed regret for his comments through a post on X, claiming he deeply regretted his "badly misjudged comments".
Meanwhile, Ryan acknowledged the unacceptable nature of the exchanges in a public statement, attributing some responsibility to himself for not vocally opposing the sentiments expressed in the group.
The Labour leadership has not yet confirmed whether further disciplinary action will be taken against other members identified as participants in the WhatsApp group.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook indicated an ongoing investigation into the incident, stating he is unaware of the extent of comments made by other group members.
The situation continues to evolve as the Labour Party addresses the fallout from these revelations and its implications for party unity and public perception.
