Eleven Labour councillors have been suspended from the party over their membership of a WhatsApp group that has already seen two MPs lose the whip. Former health minister Andrew Gwynne was sacked over the weekend for offensive messages sent in the group, named “ Trigger Me Timbers”.

Social media group has already been responsible for MPs Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan being suspended by party

Oliver Ryan, the MP for Burnley who was elected last summer, has also been sacked for his involvement in the group named 'Trigger Me Timbers'.

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has become the second MP to be 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,

Gerald Cooney, the former Labour leader of Tameside council in Greater Manchester, said he had complained about Andrew Gwynne’s remarks several times.