EXCLUSIVE
THREE members of Tameside Council’s cabinet have stepped down from their roles as an investigation into controversial WhatsApp messages begins.
Denton’s MP Andrew Gwynne was sacked from his role as a health minister after statements put into a group were revealed.
Now The Correspondent has been told three of the serving councillors believed to be members of Trigger Me Timbers have relinquished their local authority positions while the Labour Party conducts a probe into the affair.
Denton South trio Cllrs Claire Reid, Jack Naylor and George Newton now no longer occupy their roles as the investigation takes place.
Cllr Reid holds the title of executive member for strategic improvement and corporate vision and Cllr Newton is assistant executive member for communications and corporate vision.
The third, Cllr Naylor, holds one of the most powerful positions as executive member for finance and resources.
However, when approached by The Correspondent about what action may be taken locally, a Tameside Labour spokesperson revealed they have stepped down.
They said: “Following reports over the weekend of messages shared in a historic WhatsApp group, Councillors Reid, Naylor and Newton have decided to step away from their executive duties at Tameside Council whilst an investigation by the Labour Party is underway.”
In the wake of the messages being published nationally by the Mail on Sunday, Mr Gwynne has resigned as a patron of the charity Home-Start HOST.
However, his wife, Denton North East Councillor Allison Gwynne, remains in her role as chair of Tameside Council’s Overview Panel – a position she is believed to have been awarded by Labour Party’s Campaign Improvement Board.
Denton councillors also occupy senior positions on committees, with Denise Ward chair of Speaker’s Panel (Liquor Licensing), Vincent Ricci chair of Speaker’s Panel (Planning) and Brenda Warrington chair of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Panel.