Keir Starmer Sacks Health Minister Andrew Gwynne Over Abusive WhatsApp Messages

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sacked Health Minister Andrew Gwynne and suspended him from the Labour Party following the revelation of offensive WhatsApp messages. Gwynne's messages included sexist, racist, and antisemitic remarks, as well as a joke about a constituent being 'mown down' by a truck and a comment wishing death upon a 72-year-old woman who inquired about local bin collections. In response to the backlash, Gwynne expressed regret for his 'badly misjudged' comments and stated his understanding of the actions taken against him. Starmer emphasized his commitment to maintaining high standards of conduct in public office and stated that he would not hesitate to act against any minister who fails to meet these standards. The Labour Party has initiated an investigation into Gwynne's comments, with potential swift disciplinary action pending. This incident marks a significant challenge for Starmer's government, which has faced scrutiny since its election victory in July 2024.