Three Tameside councillors have resigned from their executive roles following the emergence of offensive messages in a WhatsApp group called 'Trigger Me Timbers'. The group, which included suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne and his wife Alison, contained racist, sexist and antisemitic comments.
Andrew Gwynne was sacked as a health minister on Saturday after messages emerged where he allegedly joked about an elderly constituent's bin query, made a racist remark about MP Diane Abbott, and shared a sexist post about Deputy PM Angela Rayner. His wife Alison, a Tameside councillor, was among 11 councillors suspended by Labour on Tuesday night.
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan also admitted making 'unacceptable' comments in the group, including mocking a fellow MP's sexuality. He apologised and said he would cooperate with the investigation.
Labour had reportedly been warned about the group over a year ago by Gerald Cooney, former Labour leader of Tameside Council. A party spokesperson said a 'thorough investigation' was underway and 'swift action will always be taken' against breaches of standards.
The three councillors who stepped down are Claire Reid, Jack Naylor and George Newton. Tameside Labour said they had 'decided to step away from their executive duties' pending the investigation.
