Sir Keir Starmer has appointed an MP who once claimed people could identify as a llama as the new health minister.
Ashley Dalton, who represents West Lancashire, was confirmed in the role at the Department of Health and Social Care, following the sacking of Andrew Gwynne over offensive WhatsApp messages.
Gwynne left the Government over the weekend due to his involvement in a WhatsApp group named "Trigger Me Timbers."
Douglas Alexander will now serve jointly in the Cabinet Office as well as the Department for Business and Trade, Downing Street also confirmed.
Ashley Dalton said people could identify as llamas
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Ashley Dalton with Angela Rayner and Sir Keir Starmer
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In 2016, Dalton was asked by somebody in one Twitter exchange if a person decided they were a llama, should other people take them seriously. Dalton responded saying: "Yes. And treat you with dignity and respect."
The new minister also advocated for the abolition of gendered bathrooms, saying: "Personally, I think we shouldn't have gendered bathrooms at all."
She also described Brexit as "short-sighted and stupid" and branded the UK and US as "fascist" countries in 2016.
In the same year, she insisted "Trans women aren't male. They're women" and claimed that people should be able to "define their own gender and that society should be set up to support not hinder that."
Gwynne was dismissed after leaked messages showed he hoped a 72-year-old constituent would "croak it" after she contacted him about bin collections.
The messages included offensive remarks about Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner as well as racist comments about former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott.
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Andrew Gwynne MP was dismissed yesterday
GETTYGwynne apologised on social media platform X, writing: "I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offence I've caused."
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan is also under investigation over comments in the same group, with the Chief Whip set to speak with him.
The appointment comes as Labour has reportedly dropped plans to make it easier for people to legally change their gender, despite earlier manifesto pledges.
The move is believed to be part of efforts to counter the polling surge of Reform UK, with one government source telling The Times: "If we're going to push back against Reform this is the kind of thing we need to be doing."
People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton
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Oliver Ryan became the second Labour MP involved in a WhatsApp group where admitted to sending 'unacceptable' messages
UK ParliamentIt came as Labour confirmed it will press ahead with plans to make it easier for trans people to change their legal gender.
Home Office Minister Angela Eagle dismissed reports the policy had been dropped, saying the Government will stick to its manifesto pledge.
She told LBC: "That newspaper report is wrong. We’re going to put into effect our manifesto commitments.
"It’s not self ID. If you look in our manifesto it’s all in there it’s simplifying it and making it easier."
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