Ex-council boss suspended amid WhatsApp scandal

Ged Cooney said he had never been a member of the WhatsApp group over which over a dozen other party members have been suspended

A former council leader has claimed he has been suspended by Labour for reporting his concerns about a WhatsApp group over which a dozen other members of the party have been sanctioned.

Ged Cooney, who stood down as Tameside Council boss in October, said he had been suspended because he "reported the group" and "officers of the Labour Party who failed to act on that report".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has reported the Labour Party suspended Cooney for providing information to the media about party disciplinary matters and staff.

Andrew Gywnne was sacked from his health minister post and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan and 11 Tameside and Stockport Labour members were suspended amid allegations that racist and sexist messages had been shared in the group.

'Swift action'

Gorton and Denton MP Gwynne admitted he had made "badly misjudged" comments, while Ryan - who was previously a Tameside councillor - said he had made comments which he "deeply regretted".

Tameside councillors Claire Reid, Jack Naylor and George Newton stepped down from their cabinet positions in the wake of the headlines.

Cooney said: "I have been suspended because I reported the WhatsApp group and I identified in that report officers of the Labour Party who failed to act on that report."

He added: "I have never been a member of that WhatsApp group. I do not want to be associated with it."

In statement on Monday, a Labour Party spokesperson said: "As soon as this group was brought to our attention, a thorough investigation was immediately launched and this process is ongoing in line with the Labour Party's rules and procedures.

"Swift action will always be taken where individuals are found to have breached the high standards expected of them as Labour Party members."