Burnley MP Oliver Ryan is being investigated by the Labour Party over “unacceptable and deeply disappointing” comments in a WhatsApp group.
Mr Ryan said he was a member of the WhatsApp chat that MP Andrew Gwynne was sacked as a minister over and apologised for some of his own comments “which I deeply regret and would not make today”.
“Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a member of a WhatsApp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne,” he said in a statement posted on X.
“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.
“I will co-operate fully with the Labour Party’s investigation.”
An investigation is under way into the WhatsApp group called Trigger Me Timbers, which is said to include more than a dozen Labour councillors and party officials.
A government source said: “Oliver Ryan’s remarks were unacceptable and deeply disappointing.
“While a Labour Party investigation is already under way, the chief whip will also be speaking to him and no action is off the table.”
On Saturday, Andrew Gwynne was sacked and suspended from the Labour Party after posting “completely unacceptable” messages.
The MP for Gorton and Denton, in Greater Manchester, reportedly posted sexist comments about Angela Rayner and racist remarks about Labour MP Diane Abbott, and was also said to have joked in the private group chat with Labour figures based around Manchester about an elderly woman’s death.
Mr Gwynne posted on X on Saturday apologising for any offence caused but did not suggest he would stand down as an MP.
He said he “deeply” regretted his “badly misjudged comments” and apologised for any offence caused.
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