Angela Rayner was told nearly three years ago that the sacked minister Andrew Gwynne had made a “derogatory” joke about her on an offensive WhatsApp group, the Guardian has been told.
Labour sources said no formal complaint was ever made about the WhatsApp group, called Trigger Me Timbers, and that concerns were raised as part of wider frustrations about Gwynne and his perceived meddling in the local party.
The councillor is said to have told the MP that a “derogatory” comment had been made about her by Gwynne on a WhatsApp group of local party figures.
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.
The Guardian revealed this week that two senior Labour party officials had been told about the offensive posts, with the first warning “well over a year ago” to Liam Didsbury, then the party’s regional director for north-west England.
