Second MP apologises for 'unacceptable' WhatsApp posts as he faces Labour Party probe

A former teenage Tameside councillor and Labour MP has apologised for comments he made in the WhatsApp group used by MP Andrew Gwynne and Denton Labour councillors.

Ashton-born Burnley MP Oliver Ryansaid the comments he made in the Trigger Me Timbers group were 'completely unacceptable' and he regretted not speaking out at the time.

Burnley, Padiham and Briefield MP Mr Ryan was among local Labour party members who posted on the site  where Denton MP Andrew Gwynne shared sexist, racist and offensive messages about constituents and fellow MPs, including Diane Abbott and Ashton MP and deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Mr Ryan was one of Tameside's youngest councillors when he was elected at the age of 19. He held the Audenshaw seat until 2022 and was elected to the Burnley seat in the general election last July with a 340 seat majority.

From Ashton, he held two executive roles on Tameside Council responsible for statutory Children’s Social Care Services and later Regeneration and Finance.

He joined the Labour Party at the age of 15 and is the son of Droylsden East councillor Laura Boyle.

A Labour party source said Mr Ryan, 29, would be spoken to by the party Whip and 'no action was off the table'.

In his statement, Mr Ryan said: "Between 2019 and early 2022, I was  member of a Whatsapp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne.

"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."

Mr Gwynne was sacked from his role as undersecretary for health after the group's posts were made public on Saturday.

Six Tameside councillors have been listed as members of the group, including Mr Gwynn's wife Allison. Two other councillors left the group three years ago after disagreeing with the content, it has been said.