JONATHAN Reynolds MP has spoken of his disgust at the WhatsApp messages that have caused national anger.
Tameside colleague, Denton’s Andrew Gwynne, was sacked as a health minister and suspended by the Labour Party – along with Burnley’s Oliver Ryan, who was a councillor for Audenshaw – following the revelation of comments made in the Trigger Me Timbers group.
Ashton-under-Lyne’s representative, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, described some of what was written when Mr Gwynne’s constituency was Denton and Reddish before it changed to Gorton and Denton as ‘disgusting.’
Now Stalybridge and Hyde’s Mr Reynolds, the country’s Business Secretary, has joined the chorus of disapproval.
As 10 Tameside councillors are also suspended from Labour amid the controversy, he said: “Like all local residents, I have been disgusted by the WhatsApp comments revealed to have been made by Denton and Reddish representatives.
“Some of the messages we’ve seen have been completely unacceptable and I welcome the fact that both the Prime Minister, Labour Party and Tameside Council Leader Cllr Eleanor Wills took swift action against the individuals involved.”
Comments relating to constituents are among some of the most controversial to have been exposed from the Trigger Me Timbers group.
And after reading them, Mr Reynolds delivered a simple verdict – show some respect.
He added: “To me, serving constituents is a privilege that must be honoured with respect.
“I know the Labour Government and the Labour Party will not hesitate to act if the highest standards are not upheld.”