Three down... three to go

Three Tameside councillors have stepped down from their executive roles after being named as members of the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group used by disgraced MP Andrew Gwynne.

The councillors - who all represent Denton South - are Jack Naylor, Claire Reid and George Newton.

Naylor, is executive member for finance and resources, Reid is in charge of strategic improvement and Newton is an assistant executive member for communications.

They are believed to have stepped aside while an investigation into their use of the group where racist and sexist comments were passed between members, including the Denton MP who was sacked from his health minister job by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the weekend.

However, a question mark hangs over the fate of the other three councillors involved, including Gwynne's wife Allison.

The others are Cllrs Brenda Warrington, and George Jones.

Gwynne 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."

Meanwhile, former Audenshaw councillor and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has also apologised for his membership of the group.

He said: "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 cooperate fully with the Labour Party's investigation."