Health minister Andrew Gwynne has been sacked over comments posted on a WhatsApp group.
Mr Gwynne 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.
In the WhatsApp chat, which contained Labour councillors, party officials and at least one other MP, Mr Gwynne made racist comments about Labour MP Dianne Abbott and sexist remarks about Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
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.”
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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,” they said. “Swift action will be taken if individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members.”
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Mr Gwynne said he deeply regretted his “badly misjudged comments” and apologised for any offence 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.”
Nigel Huddleston MP, co-chairman of the Conservative Party, said there is “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.”
