Three councillors expelled from Labour and another quits following WhatsApp scandal

Three councillors embroiled in the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp scandal have been expelled from the Labour Party following an investigation.

The group was made up of Labour councillors, members and activists from Denton and Reddish, as well as MPs Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan. The group chat contained a number of offensive messages and resulted in the suspension of a string of politicians.

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

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

Investigations are ongoing into Gorton and Denton MP Mr Gwynne and ex-Tameside council leader Ged Cooney, it is understood.

Coun Cooney has denied any involvement in the WhatsApp group. He was accused of providing information and commentary to the media about scandal. 

Tameside councillors Alison Gwynne and Claire Reid received six-month suspensions and now been reinstated. No further action was taken against Coun Denise Ward.

Councillors George Jones, Vincent Ricci, 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 council resigned from the party. 

Coun Sedgwick said in an earlier statement: “Had it not happened [the WhatsApp group story] of course there’s no reason why I wouldn’t be a member of the Labour party, I just reached the end of my tether with it really, and thought it was best for everyone, there’s no ill feeling or malice, it was just my decision.”

Coun Martin earlier apologised to anybody offended by her particpation in the group and said she had decided to resign for ‘personal reasons’.

Coun McCormack has not spoken publickly about her resignation.

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 Ricci said this week he had decided to quit the party following the result of the investigation from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC). 

A statement read: “I have been a Labour party member for 47 years without any wrongdoing. 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.”

In response to Coun Vincent Ricci’s resignation, 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.”

Here is a full list of the result/status of each councillor suspended in connection to the WhatsApp scandal:

• Oliver Ryan MP – six month suspension
• Andrew Gwynne MP – process ongoing
• Councillor Ged Cooney – 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, now quitting
• 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 – expelled