Watchdog investigates Andrew Gwynne over offensive WhatsApp messages
Parliament’s standards watchdog has launched an investigation into Andrew Gwynne, who was sacked as a minister over offensive comments made on a WhatsApp group.
The MP was also suspended from the Labour party after messages were revealed in which he said he hoped a pensioner who did not support him would die before the next set of elections.
A second Labour MP, Oliver Ryan, was also suspended last week after he was revealed to be a member of the same WhatsApp group, which also featured misogynistic and classist messages.
The parliamentary commissioner for standards’ inquiry into Gwynne was opened on Tuesday, according to an online update, which said it was looking into “actions causing significant damage to the reputation of the house as a whole, or of its members generally”.
Gwynne, who is now sitting as the independent MP for Gorton and Denton, has been facing fresh calls to resign after new WhatsApp messages emerged in which he suggested that an Anglican priest should be “burned on a bonfire”.
The vicar described the chat involving two Labour MPs, as well as several other Labour party members, as “reminiscent of playground bullying and name-calling”.
The priest, who has asked not to be identified, said Gwynne should stand down as a member of parliament, saying that his position was “untenable”.
Labour has said it is investigating comments made in the WhatsApp group at the centre of the scandal in line with the party’s rules and procedures. A group of councillors have also been administratively suspended from the party.
“Swift action will be taken if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour party members,” a spokesperson has said.
The Guardian has reported that the party was warned more than a year ago about the WhatsApp group involving two of its MPs, local councillors and a series of offensive messages.
Gwynne said in a statement after his sacking: “I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offence I’ve caused. 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.”
