Labour WhatsApp group: Everything we know about the MPs and messages at the heart of the scandal
More Labour MPs and councillors dragged into the WhatsApp scandal which has already seen the dramatic sacking of health minister Andrew Gwynne
The fallout from the WhatsApp scandal which has seen Sir Keir Starmer suspend two Labour MPs is continuing to grow, with journalists continuing to pore over the thousands of messages sent in a group of party members.
As well as former health minister Andrew Gwynne and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan, Labour has suspended 11 local councillors - including Mr Gwynne’s wife, Alison Gwynne - and is investigating the full extent of the scandal.
The MPs have faced calls to resign and force by-elections over their involvement in the WhatsApp group, which reportedly contains racist, sexist and homophobic language.
As fresh messages continue to emerge, here is everything we know so far.
What is the WhatsApp group?
The scandal erupted in February when the Mail on Sunday contacted Downing Street to inform staff of the existence of the group and the messages Mr Gwynne had sent in it.
No10 responded quickly, sacking Mr Gwynne as a health minister over the alleged “antisemitic”, “sexist” and “racist” comments in the group, and launched an investigation into the reportedly named “Trigger Me Timbers” WhatsApp group.
In a warning to others who have shared messages in the group, a Labour spokesperson said the party would take swift action “if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members”.
What did Labour MPs say in the WhatsApp group?
In one message, seen by the Mail on Sunday, Mr Gwynne allegedly wrote a mock reply to a complaint from a 72-year-old constituent.
He is said to have written: “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.”
He is also accused of making racist comments about veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott and sexist comments about deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the paper claimed.
It was reported his comments further included antisemitic slights and a joke about a constituent being "mown down" by a truck.
It has since emerged that Mr Ryan, 29, has posted more than 2,000 messages in the WhatsApp group.
The MP, who is gay, appeared to mock a fellow Labour MP over his sexuality in exchanges in the private group.
He also made cruel remarks about Colin Bailey, vice-chairman of the party's Audenshaw branch, Labour member for 42 years and a lifelong lollipop man in Greater Manchester.
When told about the insults, Mr Bailey told the Daily Mail: “I am very angry about this. I thought Oliver was a friend, as I did some work for him. That's the thing, you help these people, and they stab you in the back.”
He added: “My daughter has reported this to the police today.”
How have MPs Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan responded to the leaks?
In a statement released after his suspension, Mr Gwynne said: “I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offence 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.”
In another statement, Mr Ryan, who is long-term friends with Mr Gwynne, said: "Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a 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 co-operate fully with the Labour Party's investigation."
But since the scandal emerged, the picture has only worsened for the MPs, with fresh messages emerging almost daily. At one point in the group, Mr Gwynne referred to a local resident as a “hag” and said she lives in a “s**t” house.
Who else is involved?
In addition to the MPs involved, there are a slew of local councillors who have participated in the group chat.
As well as Mr Gwynne’s wife, other councillors said to be administratively suspended from the party include former council leader Brenda Warrington, and Claire Reid, a member of Labour’s national policy forum.
What is the response to the scandal?
On Sunday evening, the Conservative Party demanded the investigation be widened.
Richard Holden, the Tory shadow paymaster general, said: "With hateful remarks being spewed by such senior Labour figures, getting to the bottom of this situation should be Sir Keir Starmer’s top priority.
“Sir Keir should not hide behind the process to delay action, especially with concerns that there were more Members of Parliament, councillors and Labour members involved.”
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the language the MP reportedly used in his messages is "completely unacceptable" and "in some instances, it's deeply concerning".
Mr Pennycook told the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme on Sky News: "I don't know, personally, what other people on that WhatsApp conversation have said... I've been very clear, there's an investigation taking place into the whole incident.
"What the public can take from the way the prime minister has acted decisively in this case to dismiss Andrew Gwynne, is that if any other Labour MP or minister falls short he will act to uphold the highest standards in public office.”
Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle told Sky News on Monday morning: "My understanding is the chief whip will be seeing [Mr Ryan] today.
"There's an ongoing investigation into the entirety of that WhatsApp group, Andrew Gwynne has been administratively suspended, those kinds of comments are not acceptable.
"So the prime minister has taken a very strong stance straight away on all of this as soon as it came to light."
What could happen to MPs in the group?
Two Labour MPs and 11 local councillors have already been suspended by the party as the investigation continues.
As Conservatives call for the investigation to be widened, there is “no action off the table”, a government source said.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister is determined to uphold high standards of conduct in public office. He will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet these standards, as he has in this case.”