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Health minister Andrew Gwynne sacked over WhatsApp messages

10 February 202527 views0

Andrew Gwynne, the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, was dismissed from his role as health minister and suspended from the Labour Party after offensive comments he made in a WhatsApp group were exposed. In these messages, Gwynne made inappropriate remarks about fellow Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Angela Rayner, and joked about an elderly woman’s death. He also made antisemitic comments, including suggesting that someone’s name “sounds too militaristic and too Jewish” and questioning if they were a member of Mossad. Gwynne has since apologized, expressing deep regret for his “badly misjudged comments” and acknowledging the decisions made by the Prime Minister and the party.

At the time of writing, it came to light that a second Labour MP is to meet the government chief whip over his own membership in the group. Oliver Ryan, the MP for Burnley, has already apologised for failing to challenge some of the comments made in the group.

Right wing tabloids were quick to jump on the story to tear apart Labour, while left-leaning outlets reminded the public of the Tory’s own scandals throughout their time in power – particularly regarding Covid WhatsApp groups – or supported Labour’s swift response.

Unless otherwise linked, headlines are front pages from 10/02/2025