Andrew Gwynne to step down as MP for Denton for health reasons

Andrew Gwynne is stepping down as MP for Denton and Gorton, a move that appears to clear the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s potential return to Parliament.

Mr Gwynne, who remains suspended by the Labour Party, has decided to stand down for medical reasons before the final outcome of an investigation into his conduct is made public.

The former public health minister has been under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards following his involvement in the so-called Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group, which sparked national outrage when details of messages allegedly posted between 2019 and 2022 emerged.

Since the controversy became public, Mr Gwynne has been sitting as an Independent MP, having had the Labour whip removed.

With his departure now confirmed, Mr Burnham is expected to seek selection to stand in the Gorton and Denton constituency. If Burnham wins the by-election, expected to take place the same day as the local elections on May 7, it will make him eligible to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership and in turn, the role of Prime Minister.

Messages attributed to Mr Gwynne within the WhatsApp group included a ‘joke’ about a constituent being “mown down” by a bin lorry and a comment expressing hope that a 72-year-old woman would soon die after she contacted a councillor about bin collections. He was also reported to have made sexist remarks about Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and racist comments about veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott.

The revelations prompted protests outside Mr Gwynne’s constituency office in Denton and widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.

The WhatsApp controversy sparked anger locally and nationally. Angela Rayner, the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, and Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, both publicly expressed their “disgust” at the messages.

Andrew Gwynne was removed from his ministerial role by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on February 9.

Mr Gwynne, 51, has served as an MP for 21 years, first representing Denton and Reddish before boundary changes. Gwynne has previously said he won’t make any announcements over his future in parliament.

Andrew Gwynne took to Facebook this afternoon, 22 January, to address the rumours. He said: “It has been the honour of my life to have been an elected representative for almost exactly three decades, representing my home community firstly as a Denton West Councillor on Tameside Council and then in the House of Commons as MP for Denton & Reddish and more recently for Gorton & Denton.

“Over those years I haven’t got everything right and I’ve certainly made mistakes, but I’ve always tried my very best and I have helped tens of thousands of constituents with their issues along the way. Indeed it’s been helping people that’s given me the greatest pleasure in these jobs.

“I will forever be proud to have campaigned successfully to save our open spaces at Kingswater, Reddish Vale, Haughton Dale and at Bredbury Parkway at those times when they’ve been under threat. I’m proud to have helped to secure the Wellness Centre for Denton, a new NHS Community Diagnostics Centre at Crown Point, the rebuild of Russell Scott primary school, £17m for Denton Town Centre, £20m for Gorton South, and the realistic prospect of Tram-Train services serving Denton station.

“And my successful Private Members’ Bill, the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 has prevented financial ‘vulture funds’ from praying on the historic debts of some of the world’s poorest indebted countries, ensuring that money can be spent on education, health and infrastructure.

“These are hopefully lasting achievements that don’t happen by accident. I have always sought to be a real champion for the areas I’ve represented.

“I’ve fought and won 9 elections (3 local, 6 General) and I thank those of you who supported me in each of those elections.

“But I have also suffered significant ill-health over most of the 21 years I’ve served as MP, and this has been greatly exacerbated by the impact of last year’s events regarding leaked text messages. To those I upset, offended or angered, I sincerely and humbly apologise - they are not who I am - and to those who stuck with me and supported me though some of the most difficult mental health challenges of my life, I will be forever grateful to you. You probably saved my life at its lowest point.

“I will conclude with professional health advice from my GP to the Commons authorities which I want to share so hopefully it provides a degree of context because this is health advice I cannot afford to ignore:

“‘Desire the treatment and support he has received since February. I worry that there is still a marked dissociation between the reality of his difficulties and the ‘front’ that he shows to the world. He remains on a very high dose medication. Based on my knowledge of him over the past ten years, and thirty years as a GP with an interest in mental health, I do not think it likely that he will be able to return to his previous ‘normal’. From the pattern of his illness since 2014 and the records we have since 2010, I think that he will remain extremely vulnerable and further stress will cause rapid deterioration as it did in February. I do not think that he will be able to safely to return to work as an MP’

“I have therefore applied to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to seek the office of Crown Steward of the Manor of Northstead, an archaic procedure to be able to vacate my seat as an MP.  There will be a by-election soon and I wish my successor, whoever it is, all the very best in representing what I consider to be the best constituency in the UK.

“I wish all my friends in the Gorton & Denton Constituency Labour Party, the PLP and right across the House, well; and I wish the Labour government every success in meeting our country’s challenges head-on and providing the real change the people of Britain voted for in 2024.

“I won’t be making any further statements. All I ask now is that I am left in peace to be able to start the long process of getting well again, and to spend precious time with my family.

“And from me: thank you once again. The end.”