Exclusive: Labour Reinstates MP Suspended Over 'Offensive' WhatsApp Messages

Oliver Ryan was supended by Labour in February.A Labour MP who was suspended over offensive messages in a WhatsApp group has been reinstated by the party, HuffPost UK can reveal.Oliver Ryan was informed by letter this afternoon that he will have the Labour whip restored when parliament returns from recess in September.However, former minister Andrew Gwynne, who was also suspended at the height of the controversy, has been told that his status has not changed while an investigation continues.Three Labour councillors who were also members of the ‘Tigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp group have been expelled by the party, two were handed six month suspensions and three others received a formal warning.No further action is being taken against another councillor, while three others resigned from the party during the investigation.Ryan was investigated after he appeared to mock a fellow Labour MP over his sexuality.The Burnley MP, who is gay, also used an offensive nickname to refer to local Labour leader Colin Bailey.At the time, a government source said: “Oliver Ryan’s remarks were unacceptable and deeply disappointing.”In a statement before he was suspended, Ryan said: “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.”Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, was sacked as a health minister as well as suspended from the Labour Party when messages he had posted on the WhatsApp group were revealed by the Mail on Sunday.In one, Gwynne responded to a letter sent by a resident to their local councillor complaining about bin collections.The Gorton and Denton MP suggested the councillor respond: “Dear resident, F*** your bins. I’m re-elected and without your vote. Screw you. PS: Hopefully you’ll have croaked it by the all-outs.”“All-outs” is a reference to council elections when every seat is up for grabs.In another message, Gwynne made an offensive remark about a Jewish person.Discussing a local Labour Party meeting, a member of the group asks if Marshall Rosenberg -a n American psychologist famed for his conflict management techniques - would be there.Gwynne replied: “No. He sounds too militaristic and too Jewish. Is he in Mossad?”In another comment, Gwynne appeared to suggest he wanted a cyclist to die.It came after a councillor mentions a constituent called Nick who wants more cycle lanes.Gwynne replied: “I had positive visions of him getting mown down by an Elsa Waste HGV while he’s cycling to the Fallowfield Loop [cycle lane]. We couldn’t be that lucky!”Following his sacking, he said: “I deeply regret my badly misjudged commments 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.”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.”Related...Labour MPs In WhatsApp Scandal Should Resign, Says Labour MPSecond Labour MP Suspended By Party Over WhatsApp ScandalLabour Minister Sacked By Keir Starmer Over Offensive WhatsApp Messages

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