Online petition calls for resignation of MPs and Denton ward councillors who used Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group

Angry voters have launched an online campaign calling for the resignation of disgraced MPs Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan and the ousting of councillors who were members of the 'racist' and hate-filled Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group.

A petition - which already has nearly 300 signatures on the change.org site - calls for a "full, independent and urgent investigation into the MPs and Denton ward councillors involved in the group where racist and sexist comments were allegedly made".

The petition calls for a full police investigation into whether the comments are criminal 'hate speech' and a Parliamentary Standards Review into the future of Gwynne and Ryan.

The petition adds: "Any Denton ward councillors found to have participated in or condoned these offensive remarks must be suspended immediately, pending investigation, and dismissed if found guilty of misconduct.

"Racism and sexism have no place in public office. We demand swift and decisive action to restore public trust."

The Gorton and Denton MP shared comments on WhatsApp wishing a constituent who didn't vote for him 'died before the next general election'.

Andrew Gwynne also made anti-Semitic slights and 'jokes' about a constituent being 'mown down' by a truck on a WhatsApp group.

Those comments and others, including a sexual slur at Deputy PM and Ashton MP Angela Rayner led to The Prime Minister stripping of his job as Health Minister and suspended his membership of the Labour Party.

Mr Gwynne responded to his sacking and suspension with a message on social media. He 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."

Ashton-born Burnley MP Oliver Ryans aid the comments he made in the Trigger Me Timbers group were 'completely unacceptable' and he regretted not speaking out at the time.

Burnley, Padiham and Briefield MP Mr Ryan was among local Labour party members who posted on the site  where Denton MP Andrew Gwynne shared sexist, racist and offensive messages about constituents and fellow MPs, including Diane Abbott and Ashton MP and deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Mr Ryan was one of Tameside's youngest councillors when he was elected at the age of 19. He held the Audenshaw seat until 2022 and was elected to the Burnley seat in the general election last July with a 340 seat majority.

From Ashton, he held two executive roles on Tameside Council responsible for statutory Children’s Social Care Services and later Regeneration and Finance.

He joined the Labour Party at the age of 15 and is the son of Droylsden East councillor Laura Boyle.

A Labour party source said Mr Ryan, 29, would be spoken to by the party Whip and 'no action was off the table'.

Councillors who were part of the group have been named as Cllr Claire Reid, Denton South; Cllr Brenda Warrington, Denton West; Cllr George Newton, Denton South; Cllr Allison Gwynne, Denton North East; Cllr Jack Naylor, Denton South and Cllr George Jones, Denton West.

Two other councillors are said to have left the WhatsApp group after becoming disturbed by some of the content.

Meanwhile, an independent councillor who has made an official complaint about Gwynne's WhatsApp to /Greater Manchester Police has explained why he made his decision.

Cllr Kaleel Khan, who represents the Ashton St Peters ward, said: "I did this because my constituents are asking me to provide the leadership needed to stand up to hate. There’s a clear line between free speech and hate speech.

"I’ve experienced hate as a councillor, and it took a serious toll on my mental health and wellbeing.

"The alleged comments in Trigger Me Timbers, particularly suggesting a 72-year-old constituent would "soon be dead" after raising concerns about bin collections, are inexcusable.

"I have many elderly residents who face similar issues, and dismissing their concerns is unacceptable. Not calling out this type of behaviour makes you complicit. Ignoring hate is just as harmful as participating in it.

"My constituents have told me they want compassionate leadership, not hate—and I completely agree. As councillors, we are here to serve the public with respect, integrity, and kindness.

"That said, I have deep respect for many hardworking Labour councillors who embody these values, and I genuinely enjoy working with them."