Health minister Andrew Gwynne has been sacked over alleged “antisemitic”, “sexist” and “racist” comments posted on a WhatsApp group.
Mr Gwynne becomes the latest former ally of Jeremy Corbyn to be ousted by Keir Starmer after reportedly making antisemitic comments and “joked” about a pensioner constituent, saying he hoped she died before the next election, according to the The Mail on Sunday.
The Gorton and Denton MP said he hoped a 72-year-old woman would soon be dead after she dared to ask about her bins, The Mail on Sunday reported.
In a mock message, he allegedly wrote on the TriggerMe Timbers Whatsapp group with Labour councillors: “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 Labour MP Dianne Abbot, and sexist remarks about deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the paper claimed.
Then when members of the Whatsapp group asked if Marshall Rosenberg, a conflict resolution expert, would attend a local Labour party meeting, Mr Gwynne reportedly said: “No. He sounds too militaristic and too Jewish. Is he in Mossad?
While ministers have defended the prime minister for acting quickly, the scandal could yet drag in another MP and Labour councillors.
Sir Keir has made it clear that he will not tolerate antisemitism in the party after the issue almost destroyed Labour’s reputation under Mr Corbyn. Another ally of the former leader Rebecca Long-Bailey was sacked in 2020 from the shadow cabinet for retweeting an antisemitic post on social media.
Meanwhile, Mr Gwynne was accused by Trevor Phillips on Sky News of only giving “a non apology apology” for his actions.
In a statement 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.”
A government spokesperson said: "The prime minister is determined to uphold high standards of conduct in public office and lead a government in the service of working people.
“He will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet these standards, as he has in this case.”
A Labour spokesperson confirmed Mr Gwynne had been suspended as a member of the Labour party. “We are investigating comments made in this WhatsApp group in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures.
“Swift action will be taken if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members,” it said.
Mr Gwynne was one of the few leading allies of Corbyn to survive the change of leadership having been national campaign coordinator for the former leader.
He has been part of Wes Streeting’s team in health and was a junior minister in the Department for Health and Care before his sacking on Saturday.
Nigel Huddleston, co-chair of the Conservative Party, said: ''There is a clear contempt for pensioners in the Labour Party. This clearly goes beyond Andrew Gwynne and there is a rot in Labour that needs fixing. Andrew Gwynne should not remain a member of the Labour Party, they need to act.''
Andrew Gwynne’s sacking is latest in string of Government departures
Gwynne’s dismissal follows other recent departures from the government, including Tulip Siddiq, Louise Haigh, and Sue Gray.
- Siddiq resigned as Treasury minister over allegations related to her aunt, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and an anti-corruption investigation.
- Haigh resigned as transport secretary after admitting to misleading police about a stolen phone in 2013.
- Gray left her position as Downing Street chief of staff after less than 100 days, citing concerns about becoming a “distraction” amid reports of infighting and scrutiny over her salary.
- Read more.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook could not say if others in the chat will be suspended, which reportedly included another Labour MP.
"I don't know, personally, what other people on that WhatsApp conversation have said... I've being very clear, there's an investigation taking place into the whole incident," he told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News.
He added: "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."
The language Mr Gwynne reportedly used in messages is "completely unacceptable" and "in some instances, it's deeply concerning", Mr Pennycook added.
Asked about alleged antisemitic remarks made in the WhatsApp group, he said: "An investigation is taking place, and any action that needs to follow from that investigation will be seen through.
"I don't think anyone can be in any doubt about this prime minister or this Government's commitment to upholding the highest standards in public office and to rooting out antisemitism from the Labour Party, root and branch."
