The latest developments on the Tameside WhatsApp scandal

The WhatsApp scandal that rocked Greater Manchester politics made headlines again this week. The ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ saga rumbles on, but many involved have now learned their fate.

Leaked messages from the group left a string of politicians – councillors and MPs in Stockport, Tameside and beyond – more than a little red faced. The fallout was particularly brutal in Tameside, where the town hall was already dealing with a string of issues.

The revelations led to a Labour Party investigation, with members being suspended or quitting. Some have been kicked out of the party.

The WhatsApp group was made up of Labour councillors, members and activists from Denton and Reddish, as well as Greater Manchester MP Andrew Gwynne and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan.

The chat contained a number of offensive messages. ‘Crackpots’, ‘morons’ and a ‘Grade-A’ w*****’ were just some of the phrases used to describe constituents and colleagues. A three-year string of messages has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

When the first tranche of WhatsApp correspondence leaked back in February, it caused a political storm. Gorton and Denton MP Mr Gwynne was sacked as a government minister and suspended from the Labour Party. He was said to have made anti-Semitic slights in the group as well as joking about a pensioner dying.

The messages, which span from 2019 to 2022, also exposed deep factional divides within Labour locally, with digs made at colleagues and neighbouring MPs.

After more than six months of investigations, Labour officials have told all but two politicians of their fate. Some 13 councillors were part of the probe – 10 in Tameside and three in Stockport – as well as the two MPs.

Tameside councillors George Newton and Jack Naylor, as well as former Stockport Labour leader Andrew Verdeille, have been expelled from the party, it is understood.

Investigations into MP Mr Gwynne and ex-Tameside town hall leader Ged Cooney are ongoing. There is no confirmed date as to when Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will come to decisions on those two investigations and the party would not comment on timelines when questioned.

Coun Cooney has denied any involvement in the group, saying he was suspended by Labour after being accused of providing information and commentary about the scandal to the media.

Earlier this month, it was reported Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham could make a run for Mr Gwynne’s Gorton and Denton seat, depending on the outcome of the party investigation.

Mr Gwynne, currently sitting as an independent, has not given any indication he will stand down before the next general election.

Denton and Reddish candidate for Labour party, Andrew Gwynne

In February, Mr Gwynne made a statement on X, which read: “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.”

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has now served a six-month suspension and is expected to have the Labour whip returned when Parliament convenes in September.

Mr Ryan apologised for his involvement in the group, saying: “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.”

Councillors Alison Gwynne and Claire Reid served six-month suspensions and are once again Labour members. No further action has been taken against Coun Denise Ward.

Councillors George Jones, Vincent Ricci and Brenda Warrington received ‘formal warnings’.

During the course of the investigation, councillors David Segdwick and Holly McCormack from Stockport council; and Charlotte Martin from Tameside resigned from the party.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “These matters have been investigated thoroughly, in line with the Labour Party’s rules and procedures. The Labour Party took swift action as soon as we became aware of the activity in this WhatsApp Group. The Party will not hesitate to take action against members who fall short of the high standards we expect, in line with our rules and procedures. We cannot comment further on any ongoing investigations.”

Coun Vincent Ricci decided to quit Labour this week, ending a 47-year affiliation. He claimed he was ‘thrown under the bus… yet again’ after officials issued him a ‘formal warning’.

“I have been a Labour party member for 47 years without any wrongdoing,” Coun Ricci said. “I was exonerated from doing anything wrong in the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp group. I have now been given a formal warning for speaking on BBC North West Tonight and at the Denton North East Luncheon Club in February. I contacted the Labour Party asking to release what the warning was for but they refused. I didn’t want people to think this was because of me having involvement in the Trigger Me Timbers group. For these reasons I am officially resigning from the Labour Party. But I will still remain as an independent councillor to represent my community.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “Coun Ricci has taken the decision to resign from the Labour Party. It’s disappointing that he’s taken this decision, but Tameside Labour is focused on delivering for the people in every corner of the borough.”

It’s been a period to forget for Labour in Tameside. In September, children’s commissioner Andy Couldrick delivered a damning letter on the town hall’s failing children’s services. Appointed by the government, he described a ‘brutal’ council regime with ‘total control’, ‘quick to blame’ and ‘slow to accept responsibility’.

It led to the resignation of chief executive Sandra Stewart in October, who was quickly followed out of the door by former council leader Coun Cooney. He quit on October 11 following a series of cabinet members and high-profile councillor resignations.

The Droylsden West councillor became the leader in May 2022 after taking over from Coun Brenda Warrington. His reign was marred by Ofsted rating the council’s children’s services ‘inadequate’ again.

Coun Cooney was replaced by Coun Eleanor Wills and interim chief executive Harry Catherall filled the hole left by Ms Stewart. There is a belief locally the new leadership team has brought stability back to the council, with the new director of children’s services – Jill Colbert – paving the way for real improvement.

Without local elections in May – due to Greater Manchester having a ‘fallow year’ – it’s hard to judge the degree to which town hall troubles have hit Labour’s popularity among the electorate. The significance of Labour losing to Reform at a by-election in Longdendale – after the seat was left vacant – in April remains to be seen.

On the night, town hall leader Coun Wills said: “I think there are quite a few factors for people across Tameside at the moment that are dictating how they vote in elections. A lot has changed nationally, and locally we’ve been through a bit of a tumultuous period. People did not come out, we’ve had a very low turnout [20.12 per cent] for this by-election. We need to help people, recognise what we’re doing, and listen to local people. I don’t feel this particular result means we have to look at what Reform are doing and think ‘they’re the marker’.”

While there appears to be signs of unity among the party locally, some sources say relationships remain fragile.

The Labour investigation into the WhatsApp group led to the following outcomes (investigations into Mr Gwynne and Coun Cooney are ongoing)…

• Oliver Ryan MP – six month suspension
• Andrew Gwynne MP – process ongoing
• Councillor Ged Cooney, Tameside – process ongoing
• Councillor Claire Reid, Tameside – six month suspension
• Councillor Allison Gwynne, Tameside – six month suspension
• Councillor Jack Naylor, Tameside – expelled
• Councillor George Newton, Tameside – expelled
• Councillor Vincent Ricci, Tameside – formal warning, quit
• Councillor George Jones, Tameside – formal warning
• Councillor Brenda Warrington, Tameside – formal warning
• Councillor Denise Ward, Tameside – NFA
• Councillor David Sedgwick, Stockport – quit earlier
• Councillor Holly McCormack, Stockport – quit earlier
• Councillor Charlotte Martin, Tameside – quit earlier
• Ex-Stockport councillor Andrew Verdeille, Stockport – expelled