Labour MP Oliver Ryan apologises over comments in WhatsApp group

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan is being investigated by the Labour Party implicit “unacceptable and profoundly disappointing” comments successful a WhatsApp group.

Mr Ryan said helium was a subordinate of the WhatsApp chat that MP Andrew Gwynne was sacked arsenic a curate implicit and apologised for immoderate of his ain comments “which I profoundly regret and would not marque today”.

“Between 2019 and aboriginal 2022, I was a subordinate of a WhatsApp radical created by my MP and erstwhile employer, Andrew Gwynne,” helium said successful a connection posted connected X.

“Some of the comments made successful that radical were wholly unacceptable, and I afloat condemn them.

“I regret not speaking retired astatine the time, and I recognise that failing to bash truthful was wrong.

“I did not spot each message, but I judge work for not being much proactive successful challenging what was said.

“I besides made immoderate comments myself which I profoundly regret and would not marque contiguous and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise.

“I volition co-operate afloat with the Labour Party’s investigation.”

An probe is nether mode into the WhatsApp radical called Trigger Me Timbers, which is said to see much than a twelve Labour councillors and enactment officials.

A Government root said: “Oliver Ryan’s remarks were unacceptable and profoundly disappointing.

“While a Labour Party probe is already nether way, the main whip volition besides beryllium speaking to him and nary enactment is disconnected the table.”