Oliver Ryan suspended as Labour MP over WhatsApp messages

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has been suspended from the Labour parliamentary party over his membership of a WhatsApp group which contained offensive messages.

Ryan was summoned to a meeting with Chief Whip Sir Alan Campbell, after the Mail on Sunday published the messages.

Ahead of the meeting he issued an apology in which he said the comments in the group had been "completely unacceptable" and he regretted "not speaking out at the time".

In his statement, Ryan said: "I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said."

He added: "I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise."

The messages appear to show Ryan, who is gay, mocking a Labour MP for his sexuality, and denigrating the vice-chairman of the local Labour Party.

He becomes the second MP to be suspended over their participation in the WhatsApp group, following Andrew Gwynne who was also sacked as a health minister.

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