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Sir Keir Starmer has sacked Andrew Gwynne, a well being minister, after offensive feedback shared on a WhatsApp group got here to gentle.
The prime minister sacked Gwynne, an ally of former leftwing Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn, on Saturday evening as quickly as he grew to become conscious of the feedback, a spokesperson for Starmer stated.
Gwynne, junior minister for public well being and MP for Gorton and Denton, stated he deeply regretted his “badly misjudged feedback”, which have been revealed by the Mail on Sunday, and apologised for any offence prompted.
The paper reported varied messages despatched by Gwynne, together with one during which he stated he hoped a pensioner who didn’t vote Labour would die earlier than the following election.
It additionally disclosed antisemitic slights, derogatory feedback about Labour colleagues and ‘jokes’ a couple of constituent being “mown down’” by a truck. Gwynne didn’t instantly reply to a request for additional remark.
A authorities spokesperson stated: “The prime minister is set to uphold excessive requirements of conduct in public workplace and lead a authorities within the service of working folks. He won’t hesitate to take motion in opposition to any minister who fails to fulfill these requirements, as he has on this case.”
A Labour spokesperson stated: “We’re investigating feedback made on this WhatsApp group in step with the Labour get together’s guidelines and procedures. Swift motion will probably be taken if people are discovered to have breached the excessive requirements anticipated of them as Labour get together members.”
Gwynne has additionally misplaced the get together whip within the Home of Commons.
For Starmer, who’s struggling to galvanise his authorities, it was an unwelcome political blow. Gwynne’s feedback have been seized upon by the Conservatives as proof that Labour was scornful of pensioners.
In 2018, Gwynne was disclosed to have been in a Fb group during which antisemitic messages have been shared.
On the time he responded: “I used to be added to this Fb group with out my data or permission. I DO NOT help the posts and I ABHOR anti-Semitism.”
Nigel Huddleston MP, Tory co-chair, prompt that Gwynne’s feedback confirmed that Labour had “contempt for pensioners”.
Starmer’s authorities final 12 months withdrew winter gasoline funds from 10mn pensioners.
