Protesters call for MP Andrew Gwynne to step down

Protesters gathered in Denton have reignited calls for MP Andrew Gwynne to resign following the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp scandal.

Protesters gathered in Denton have reignited calls for MP Andrew Gwynne to resign following the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp scandal.

Around a hundred people arrived at Jubilee Square, just metres from the Gorton and Denton MP’s office, chanting ‘Andrew Gwynne, in the bin’, urging him to step down.

Their banners were strewn across the square and around Victoria Park, they even received beeps of support from passing rush hour traffic.

Ex-Labour MP Gwynne was involved in the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp group, in which he was accused of making anti-Semitic, sexist and racist remarks.

He and several other councillors and politicians involved from the Denton and Reddish areas were subsequently suspended by the Labour Party.

But for protesters, those suspensions don’t go far enough. More than two months after Mr Gwynne was sacked from his position as health minister (February 8), he is still in post as an independent MP.

The protest itself appeared to attract cross-party interest, with  members from Labour, Conservatives and Reform all in attendance.

Tony Moran, who has been a Labour Party member locally for decades, described what Mr Gwynne has done as ‘disgusting’, adding that ‘he’s politically toxic’.

Jane Whittaker, the main organiser behind the protest and Denton Community Group Facebook page admin, said: “There has been an outcry in Denton following the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group.

“But there has been a big of a blanket ‘shush’ because no-one has been able to say anything. 

“Allowing free speech on a Facebook page brought a lot of people out to say we don’t like what is going on, we want something done about it, and we won’t be shut up.

“People couldn’t speak to them directly about their concerns, even menial things about bins for example. It was disgusting what happened really and it’s a shame these people had no one they could speak to about issues.

“The community getting together like this just shows exactly what people think. People want to vote, and they want to vote them out.” 

Denton councillors Claire Reid, George Newton and Jack Naylor, also members of the group chat, were among those suspended and all stepped down from their senior positions on the council in the aftermath of the scandal.

Eve Williams was at the protest with friends Jean Hunt and Barbara Ogden, and said: “We need our voices heard. We’re paying loads of money in rates and the councillors are doing nothing for us… The WhatsApp posts were appalling, they’re talking about people paying their wages and voting for them.”

Jean added: “They need to be out, they’re despicable. They haven’t stepped down because they don’t feel they’ve done anything wrong.”

Howard St George, the man leading the anti-Gwynne chants via a megaphone, said: “Gwynne has got very complacent and thinks nothing of the people. I think people in Labour are disgusted as well.

“It’s gone beyond banter, they’ve shown animosity to the people who have put them into very well paid jobs.

“We’ve had no apologies from the council and a half-baked one from Andrew. He needs to step down.”

The many gathered in the town centre made it clear, they want a political change, and they want it now.

In his apology, written in February on his social media platforms, Mr Gwynne said: “I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offense I’ve caused. I’ve served the Labour Party all my life and it was a huge honour to be appointed a minister by Keir Starmer.

“I entirely understand the decisions the PM and the party have taken and, while very sad to have been suspended, will support them in any way I can.”

Burnley MP and former Tameside councillor Oliver Ryan also apologised for his involvement in the group.

He said: “Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them. I regret not speaking out at the time, and I recognise that failing to do so was wrong.

“I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said. I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise.”

Mr Gwynne has been contacted for comment.