Labour MP Oliver Ryan suspended from party over 'deeply disappointing' WhatsApp messages

A second Labour MP has been suspended from the party for comments made in a WhatsApp group.

The Labour Party confirmed Oliver Ryan has had the whip removed, meaning he will now sit as an independent MP in the Commons.

The 29-year-old Burnley MP apologised on Sunday and said he "deeply regrets" the comments he made, which a government source said were "unacceptable and deeply disappointing".

According to the Daily Mail, Mr Ryan joked about a fellow Labour MP being gay.

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In a statement on X over the weekend, Mr Ryan apologised for remarks he made which he "would not make today", and said he would "cooperate fully" with the investigation.

He said that between 2019 and early 2022, he was a member of a WhatsApp group "created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne".

Mr Ryan said: "Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them."

Mr Ryan also said he regretted "not speaking out at the time", and he recognised 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," he added.

Second MP suspended by Labour over WhatsApps

He is the second Labour MP to be suspended by the party for comments made in the same WhatsApp group.

Andrew Gwynne was sacked as health minister and suspended from the party for alleged racist and sexist remarks posted in the same chat.

The MP for Gorton and Denton reportedly made antisemitic comments and "joked" about a pensioner constituent, saying he hoped she died before the next election, according to the Mail On Sunday.

Mr Gwynne said he deeply regretted his "badly misjudged comments" and apologised for any offence caused.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, Oliver Ryan has been administratively suspended as a member of the Labour Party.

"As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was immediately launched and this process is ongoing in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures.

"Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members."

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Meanwhile, three Labour councillors caught up in the scandal have "stepped away" from their duties on Tameside Council.

Councillors Jack Naylor, Claire Reid, and George Newton - who were members of the WhatsApp group - are also being investigated by the Labour Party.

A spokesperson for Tameside Labour told Sky News on Monday afternoon: "Following reports over the weekend of messages shared in a historic WhatsApp group, Councillors Reid, Naylor and Newton have decided to step away from their executive duties at Tameside Council whilst an investigation by the Labour Party is underway."

Mr Gwynne is the latest MP to lose his position on the frontbench after ex-treasury minister Tulip Siddiq quit last month and Louise Haigh resigned as transport minister in November.

(c) Sky News 2025: Labour MP Oliver Ryan suspended from party over 'deeply disappointing' WhatsApp messages