British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sacked Health Minister Andrew Gwynne and suspended his membership of the ruling Labour Party over WhatsApp messages that the minister said were "poor judgement".
Andrew Gwynn has apologised on Platform X after the Mail on Sunday newspaper reported that he had sent WhatsApp messages in which he insulted constituents and other members of parliament, Reuters reports.
He made anti-Semitic slurs and joked about a voter who was "mown down" by a truck, the Mail on Sunday reported, and AFP reported.
"I deeply regret my ill-judged comments and apologise for any offence caused. I fully understand the decisions the Prime Minister and the party have made and, while I am deeply saddened by the suspension, I will support them in any way I can," he said.
A government spokesman said Starmer was determined to uphold high standards of conduct in the public service.
"The Prime Minister will not hesitate to take action against any minister who fails to meet those standards, as he has done in this case," the spokesman said.
Labour won a majority in the election last July, but polls show its popularity has since fallen, and the party is struggling after initial missteps over donations and boosting economic growth.
Tulip Siddique resigned as minister responsible for financial services and anti-corruption last month after questions arose about her financial ties to Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted as Bangladesh's prime minister last year. Siddique denies any wrongdoing.
Louise Hague resigned as Transport Secretary in November after admitting a minor offence involving a mobile phone she had falsely reported stolen before joining the government.
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