POLICE have received a formal complaint over alleged ‘hate speech’ and ‘antisemitism’ in messages that saw Denton MP Andrew Gwynne sacked as a minister.
The hometown politician was axed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and suspended from the Labour Party following their revelation.
Messages including Mr Gwynne hoping a 72-year-old woman would soon be dead after she wrote to her local councillor about bin collections were unearthed by the Mail on Sunday.
Among a stream of statements were jokes about a constituent being “mown down” by a truck, alleged sexist comments about Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner and seemingly racist remarks about Labour MP Diane Abbott.
But questions if someone named Marshall Rosenberg was “too militaristic and too Jewish” and asking if he was “in Mossad” have brought a complaint to Stephen Watson Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police.
Dennis Polley is demanding an ‘immediate and full investigation’ into the remarks.
In his letter, he said: “The antisemitic remarks made by Andrew Gwynne MP are deeply offensive and personally hurtful.
“To hear derogatory comments suggesting that someone “sounds too Jewish” is to witness a reminder of the hateful ideologies that led to unspeakable atrocities in our past.
“Such language not only reopens old wounds but also serves to embolden dangerous prejudices that have repeatedly resulted in historical genocide.
“These messages, along with derogatory comments targeting other individuals on the basis of religion, ethnicity, and gender, are completely unacceptable for any public official and may constitute hate crimes under UK law.”
Mr Polley cites three acts he believes Mr Gwynne broke in his messages, contained in a WhatsApp group called Trigger Me Timbers.
He also asserts the MPs Code of Conduct and the Seven Principles of Public Life, known as the Nolan Principles, have been broken.
He adds: “Mr. Gwynne’s conduct is inexcusable. No elected representative should be immune from criminal accountability or ethical scrutiny simply because they hold office.
“His actions not only undermine public trust in our democratic institutions but also contribute to an environment that may encourage further hate speech and discrimination.
“I respectfully demand the police launches an immediate investigation into whether Mr Gwynne’s messages constitute hate crimes or other offences under UK law.
“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) be consulted on the appropriate legal response, including potential charges.
“A full report of the investigation be made available to the public to restore confidence in the justice system’s commitment to upholding the law without political favouritism.
“It is beyond reprehensible that a public official should engage in racist, sexist, and blatantly antisemitic speech.
“In a time when antisemitism is on the rise again, any failure to rigorously investigate and condemn such hate speech risks sending a message of tolerance towards discrimination.
“Failure to take strong, decisive action in this matter will not only fuel further antisemitic behaviour but will also undermine public confidence in our justice system
“It is imperative that those in positions of power are held fully accountable for their actions, and that such vile language is met with the full force of the law.”