Latest news with #OliverRyan
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Lancashire's MPs reflect 12 months on from General Election
It has been 12 months since Labour came to power, winning a landslide general Lancashire, the party took all but two of the 15 seats in the county, with the Conservatives keeping one, and an Independent taking the five Labour MPs keeping their seats, the remaining eight were a new cohort going straight into year on, Labour now has 12 MPs in the county after the Burnley MP Oliver Ryan was suspended over his membership of a WhatsApp group which contained offensive messages. 'Very special' Of the new Labour MPs, Maya Ellis is among those who comes from no political background.A mum of two young children, she described her victory over veteran MP Nigel Evans, who held the seat since 1992, as "a whirlwind".Of her first days at Westminster she said: "It's like starting high school, it's quite big and different, but you know you're meant to be there, it did feel very special."As an MP the business of work starts straight away, not just in Parliament, but in the constituencies as said: "There are lots of different issues and one of the biggest challenges is, you want to support with every single one."I was surprised how many people come to their MP for help. That's a great thing because that means more people are engaged with democracy."On a national level Labour has had a tumultuous 12 months, with recent u-turns on winter fuel payments and its Welfare Reform Bill, as well as having an MP leave to start their own this, Maya Ellis said: "I have complete faith in Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer that they are doing everything they possibly can in making the brave, scary, decisions that are difficult to get us to a better place." 'Fortress Fylde' It is not just Labour that has had a tough 12 being turfed out of office and reduced to their fewest MPs ever, the Conservatives might be wondering what went wrong for to just one MP in Lancashire, it has been up to Andrew Snowden, who represents the Fylde to carry the joked: "We nickname it fortress Fylde, in the sense that it's the last place standing after the battlefield, which was a really sad and difficult night for the Conservative party."It is an odd feeling being the only Conservative for miles in any direction, but I'm proud to be flying the blue flag."Formally the Police and Crime Commissioner for the county, he said: "As police commissioner I was in charge of a £300m odd budget, 6,000 staff, you could immediately go and ask for things to be done, as an MP it's completely different."The Conservatives also lost control of Lancashire County Council to Reform in May's local said: "There's been a lot of anger at mainstream politics and Reform are offering very easy, very magic wand answers to complex questions, we shall see whether those magic answers to complex questions exist."He believes that to win voters back, the Conservatives have to be "the serious party" that is "sound on the economy" but that also stands up for British values. 'Make a difference' Lancashire also has an elected Independent MP in Adnan ran against the Labour incumbent Kate Hollern on a Gaza ticket and won by 123 being an independent with no party behind him, he believes he can "make a difference".Since being elected he says he dealt with "thousands of cases" and said: "My genuine aim is to help people because the MP's office is for many the last resort."When it comes to voting, he said: "I'm thinking about what Blackburn would want me to do and not what some mainstream party will tell me to do, I'm trying my level best to vote with my conscience." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour suspends 11 councillors over WhatsApp group
Labour has suspended eleven councillors in Greater Manchester as part of an investigation into a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were shared. Labour suspended Burnley MP Oliver Ryan on Tuesday over his membership of the group. He followed Andrew Gwynne, who was also sacked as a health minister, in losing the Labour whip. A Labour Party spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party. "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures and this process is ongoing. "Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Labour suspends 11 councillors during WhatsApp group probe
Labour has suspended eleven councillors in Greater Manchester as part of an investigation into a WhatsApp group where offensive messages were suspended Burnley MP Oliver Ryan on Tuesday over his membership of the followed Andrew Gwynne, who was also sacked as a health minister, in losing the Labour whip.A Labour Party spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party. "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures and this process is ongoing."Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Labour suspends 11 councillors over WhatsApp scandal
The Labour Party has suspended 11 of its councillors over their membership of a WhatsApp group that led to a minister being sacked from the frontbench. It is understood that most of the councillors are part of Tameside Council while two are members of Stockport Council. The move comes after the party sacked health minister Andrew Gwynne over messages he reportedly posted in the group. The Mail on Sunday reported that Mr Gwynne made antisemitic comments and "joked" about a pensioner constituent, saying he hoped she died before the next election. His sacking was followed by the party suspending Burnley MP Oliver Ryan for comments made in the WhatsApp group. The Labour Party confirmed Oliver Ryan has had the whip removed, meaning he will now sit as an independent MP in the Commons. On the suspension of the 11 councillors, a party spokesperson said: "As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, a group of councillors have been administratively suspended from the Labour Party. "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was launched in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures and this process is ongoing. "Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Second Labour MP suspended by party over WhatsApp group allegations
A second Labour MP has been suspended from the party amid a row over alleged sexist, homophobic and racist messages in a constituency WhatsApp group. Labour has announced that Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has been administratively suspended from the party after a meeting with the chief whip Sir Alan Campbell this afternoon. The scandal had already cost Andrew Gwynne his job as a junior health minister, and now Mr Ryan, who used to be his assistant, has also been suspended by the party. It comes amid claims that the WhatsApp group – titled 'Trigger Me Timbers' – had been flagged to the party a year ago by a local councillor. A Labour Party spokesperson said: 'As part of our WhatsApp group investigation, Oliver Ryan has been administratively suspended as a member of the Labour Party. 'As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was immediately launched, and this process is ongoing in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures. Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members.' Earlier, Greater Manchester Police said a 'non-crime hate incident' had been recorded over the chat, and that officers are making inquiries. In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Mr Ryan said: 'Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a member of a WhatsApp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne. Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them. I regret not speaking out at the time and I recognise that failing to do so was wrong. 'I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said. I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today, and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise. I will cooperate fully with the Labour Party's investigation.' Mr Ryan is accused of taking part with others in homophobic banter, joking about a fellow Labour MP being gay. Mr Ryan was accused of making cruel remarks, in a series of posts within the group, about a local Labour leader and lifelong lollipop man in Greater Manchester called Colin Bailey. Minister Dame Angela Eagle told Times Radio that she had been shocked by the posts, but added: 'I think anyone can make mistakes, and when they make mistakes they apologise. We've seen the apologies from both men.' In another message posted in the group, seen by The Mail on Sunday, Mr Gwynne allegedly wrote a mock reply to a complaint from a 72-year-old constituent. He is said to have written: '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 [council elections].' He is also accused of making racist comments about veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott, and sexist comments about deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the paper claimed. His comments were further reported to have included antisemitic slights and a joke about a constituent being 'mown down' by a truck. The Tories have demanded Sir Keir expel the two MPs from the Labour Party. Conservative MP Richard Holden, the shadow paymaster general, said: 'With two MPs suspended in just two days for their vile remarks, it is now clear how deep the rot is inside Sir Keir Starmer's Labour party. 'But Sir Keir cannot now try and sweep this under the carpet. He should show some leadership, do the right – and decent – thing, and expel them both. 'Anything less will show that his commitment to integrity is no more than lip service from the Labour Party.'
