Labour reinstates MP amid WhatsApp row

Oliver Ryan had the party whip removed in February and will have it restored when Parliament returns in September.

Labour Reinstates MP Suspended Over Offensive WhatsApp Messages

Oliver Ryan, the Burnley MP, will have the Labour whip restored when Parliament returns from recess in September, Labour confirmed by letter this afternoon. The party also said Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton who was suspended at the height of the controversy, remains suspended while an internal investigation continues. Three Labour councillors who were members of the WhatsApp group known as Tigger Me Timbers have been expelled, with two given six month suspensions and three others receiving formal warnings. No further action was taken against another councillor, while three others resigned from the party during the investigation.

Ryan, who is openly gay, faced criticism for mocking a fellow Labour MP over sexuality and for using an offensive nickname for local Labour leader Colin Bailey. A government source described the remarks as unacceptable. Ryan said he did not see every message but accepted responsibility for not challenging what was said and apologised for his own comments. Andrew Gwynne was sacked as health minister after messages in the WhatsApp group were published; in one message he mocked a resident’s bin complaint, and in another he made an antisemitic remark. He said he deeply regrets his misjudged comments and will support the party’s decisions.

The move to reinstate Ryan while other investigations continue shows Labour trying to balance accountability with reconciliation. It raises questions about consistency in applying sanctions and whether due process is clearly visible to the public. The issue tests leadership at a time when the party seeks to project discipline without appearing punitive.

As Labour faces a sensitive autumn agenda, the episode could widen internal tensions and invite greater scrutiny of how the party handles culture and reform. The party’s ability to explain its processes and demonstrate meaningful change will shape public perception more than any single sanction.

Highlights

The party will be judged on how it translates this episode into lasting standards and trust.