Simon Danczuk suspended from Labour Party over private life allegations

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has today been suspended from the Labour Party, following allegations in The Sun concerning sexually explicit private messages with a teenager seeking a job in his office. He will continue as an MP, and could have his party suspension lifted after an investigation.

The paper has printed a string of messages between the 49 year old backbencher and 17 year old from Rochdale.

Danczuk will now face an internal party investigation, while Greater Manchester Police have contacted the young woman to ensure that she has not been harassed. No case is being pursued by the police.

A spokesperson for the Labour Party said:

“The General Secretary of the Labour Party has today suspended Simon Danczuk’s membership of the Party, pending an investigation into allegations published in the media today.  A full investigation will now take place under the authority of the National Executive Committee, which will be responsible for determining any further action.”

Those close to Jeremy Corbyn insisted that the suspension had nothing to do with Danczuk’s criticisms of the leader, which have often appeared in Conservative-friendly newspapers.

Danczuk took to Twitter this afternoon to apologise “unreservedly” for actions, branding himself “an old fool” – although he also said that The Sun’s story was not entirely accurate.