Police investigate Gwynne's 'racist and sexist' WhatsApp posts as a 'non-crime hate incident'

Police have confirmed a 'non-crime hate incident' has been recorded following complaints about disgraced MP Andrew Gwynne's 'sexist and racist' messages on a Tameside Labour WhatsApp group.

The complaints were made to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) by members of the public and Ashton independent councillor Kaleel Khan following Gwynne's sacking as health minister.

GMP said 'initial enquiries' had begun.

A non-crime hate incident is recorded to collect information on hate incidents that could escalate into more serious offences but do not constitute a criminal offence themselves.

A police spokesman: "We have received a small number of complaints relating to publicised messages allegedly from a WhatsApp group.

"A non-crime hate incident has been recorded and we are in contact with our Parliamentary liaison as part of our initial enquiries." No further details have been provided."

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, who represented Audenshaw on Tameside Council until 2022, has also apologised for posts and comments he made while a member of the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group.

The Gorton and Denton MP shared comments on WhatsApp wishing a constituent who didn't vote for him 'died before the next general election'.

Andrew Gwynne also made anti-Semitic slights and 'jokes' about a constituent being 'mown down' by a truck on a WhatsApp group.

Those comments and others, including a sexual slur at Deputy PM and Ashton MP Angela Rayner led to The Prime Minister stripping of his job as Health Minister and suspended his membership of the Labour Party.

Mr Gwynne responded to his sacking and suspension with a message on social media. He said: "I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offense I’ve caused. I’ve served the Labour Party all my life and it was a huge honour to be appointed a minister by Keir Starmer.

"I entirely understand the decisions the PM and the party have taken and, while very sad to have been suspended, will support them in any way I can."

Cllr Khan said: "I have been inundated with  messages from my constituents, as well as people from outside my ward, urging me to stand up against hate in Tameide.

"In response, I have formally lodged a complaint with Tameside Police in relation to hate incidents and hate  crime involving Andrew Gwynne.

"In addition, any Tameside Labour councillors or supporters implicated or involved in private 'hate' WhatsApp messages must also be fully investigated."