More details have come to light on the so-called 'Trigger Me Timbers' WhatsApp group where MP Andrew Gwynne made comments which cost him his job.

The Gorton and Denton MP was sacked as a junior health minister and suspended from the Labour Party over the weekend after he apologised for 'badly misjudged' comments he made in the group. He now represents the constituency as an independent.

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 Oliver Ryan has also been suspended from the party.

He apologised for his involvement in the group, saying: "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."

Now, the LDRS can reveal more details on who was in the group and why it was created.

A source familiar with the group and the contents of its messages says there were between 15 and 20 members. It's believed membership comprised Mr Gwynne, Mr Ryan, Labour councillors who represented wards which fell under his old constituency of Denton and Reddish, and some Labour activists.

They added the group was not created to be a 'social' chat, but instead organise day-to-day voluntary tasks, such as leafleting. Some '99 percent' of the messages in the WhatsApp group related to co-ordinating campaigns and updating members on the contents of constituency Labour party (CLP) meetings. 

Various theories about who leaked the messages have emerged with some sources suspecting former council leader Ged Cooney is seeking 'revenge' after he came under pressure to resign in October last year. However, speaking to the LDRS, Coun Cooney denied he was involved in any way.

He said: "I have not spoken to any journalist regarding this group. I was not on any group and I didn't have any material on it. It wasn't me."