British PM fires health minister amid scandal
Photo: Britain's health minister was fired over a scandal (Getty Images)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed Health Minister Andrew Gwynne over unethical messages he sent on WhatsApp, Reuters reports.
The Mail on Sunday reported that Gwynne had written sexist comments on WhatsApp about UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and racist remarks about Labour MP Diane Abbott. She became the first black British parliamentarian from the Labour Party.
In another message, he wrote that he hoped a 72-year-old Stockport resident who had complained about waste collection would die soon.
Gwynne later apologized for his comments, but Starmer removed him from office, and the Labour Party suspended his membership.
"I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offense I’ve caused. I entirely understand the decisions the PM (prime minister) and the party have taken and, while very sad to have been suspended, will support them in any way I can," Gwynne stated.
In the summer of 2024, the Labour Party won the UK general election, with Keir Starmer becoming prime minister.
Starmer replaced Conservative Rishi Sunak, who had served as prime minister from October 25, 2022, to July 5, 2024.
