Revision as of 23:59, 15 June 2015 editTanbircdq (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users17,440 edits {{Infobox MP← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 15:07, 18 December 2024 edit undo194.60.38.229 (talk) →Subsequent career: The information listed was incorrect. The entry had said 'Danczuk garnered the lowest number of votes in the by-election', which was wrong. He finished 6th out of eleven candidates.Tag: Parliament edits | ||
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{{Short description|British politician (born 1966)}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} | |||
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}} | {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} | ||
{{Infobox |
{{Infobox officeholder | ||
| |
|image = CPA delegation arrives in Sri Lanka (cropped).jpg | ||
|caption = Simon Danczuk with ], in 2013 | |||
|honorific-suffix = ] | |||
|name = Simon Danczuk | |||
|office = ]<br>for ] | |||
|office = ]<br />for ] | |||
|term_start = 6 May 2010 | |||
| |
|term_start = 6 May 2010 | ||
| |
|term_end = 3 May 2017 | ||
|predecessor = ] | |||
|successor = | |||
| |
|successor = ] | ||
|birth_name |
|birth_name = Simon Christopher Danczuk | ||
|birth_date |
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|10|24|df=y}} | ||
|birth_place |
|birth_place = ], England | ||
|death_date |
|death_date = | ||
|death_place |
|death_place = | ||
|party = ] (2023–present)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pidd |first1=Helen |title=Ex-MP Simon Danczuk suspended for sexting to fight byelection for Reform |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/01/ex-mp-simon-danczuk-suspended-for-sexting-to-fight-byelection-for-reform |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=1 February 2024}}</ref> | |||
|party = ] | |||
|otherparty = ] (before 2017) | |||
|spouse = Karen Danczuk | |||
|alma_mater = ] | |||
|children = 5 | |||
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|alma_mater = ] | |||
|religion = ] | |||
|website = | |||
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'''Simon Christopher Danczuk''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|æ|n|tʃ|ə|k}} {{respell|DAN|chək}}; born 24 October 1966) is a British author and former ] (MP) who represented the constituency of ] between ] and ]. Elected as a member of the ], he was suspended from the party in 2015 after it emerged he had exchanged explicit messages with a 17-year-old girl. He has co-written two books, ''Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith'' and ''Scandal at Dolphin Square''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gimson |first=Andrew |date=2014-07-10 |title=Profile: Simon Danczuk, the tough Rochdale MP unafraid to ask the difficult questions on child sex abuse |url=https://conservativehome.com/2014/07/10/a-profile-of-simon-danczuk-the-rochdale-mp-leading-calls-for-child-sex-abuse-to-be-fully-investigated/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Conservative Home |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was the ] candidate in the ], which was later won by ] leader ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Brendan |date=2024-02-01 |title=Ex-Labour MP who sent explicit texts to 17 year old to stand as Reform candidate |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/simon-danczuk-rochdale-by-election-2884557 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> He came sixth behind Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives and Independent candidate ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Rochdale Metropolitan Borough |date=2024-02-29 |title=Election results for Rochdale, 29 February 2024 |url=https://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=249&RPID=31751768 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=democracy.rochdale.gov.uk}}</ref> | |||
'''Simon Christopher Danczuk'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/59418/notices/1118281/from=2010-05-06;to=2010-05-19;all=returned+westminster/ |title=Crown Office |publisher=London-gazette.co.uk |date=13 May 2010 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> (born 24 October 1966) is a British ] politician, who has been the ] (MP) for ] since ]. | |||
== |
==Early life== | ||
Danczuk grew up in ], ] and is of ] descent. He attended Gawthorpe School, now called ] in ]. | |||
Danczuk grew up in ]. He started working life at the age of sixteen in a factory making gas fires, before moving to the chemical company ].<ref>{{cite web | title=www.ukpollingreport.co.uk| work=UK Polling Report Website|url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/rochdale}}</ref> Whilst working, he studied at night school and gained qualifications he had missed out at secondary school, before gaining a place at ], studying economic sociology and politics as a mature student. | |||
==Career== | |||
Danczuk was co-founder with ] of Urban Visions Limited, which traded as Vision Twentyone, a research, public affairs and communications consultancy.<ref name=men-20110712/> He has also held research positions at ], ], ] and worked for academics at ]. He has written widely on topics such as democracy, homelessness, regeneration, drugs, housing and employment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visiontwentyone.co.uk/v21_team.htm |title=The Vision 21 team |publisher=Vision 21 |accessdate=2 January 2014}}</ref> | |||
He began his working life at the age of sixteen in a factory making gas fires, before moving to the chemical company ].<ref>{{cite web | title=Rochdale| work=UK Polling Report 2010|url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/rochdale|publisher=Anthony Wells}}</ref> Whilst working, he studied at night school and gained qualifications he had missed at secondary school. He then gained a place as a ] at ], where he studied Economics, Politics and Sociology.<ref name="Steps - Simon Danczuk Campaigns Against Child Abuse">{{cite web|title=Simon Danczuk Campaigns Against Child Abuse|url=http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps/features/simon-danczuk-campaigns-/|work=Steps Alumni Magazine|publisher=Lancaster University|access-date=25 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926050723/https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps/features/simon-danczuk-campaigns-/|archive-date=26 September 2015}}</ref> | |||
Danczuk became involved in the ] after joining the ] through the ] in the late 1980s. In 1993, at the age of 27, he was elected as a councillor to ] and served for six years, with portfolios including economic development and education.<ref name="Selected"/> | |||
Danczuk founded The Necessary Group, a campaign group of businessmen and politicians, which campaigned prior to the expected ] for an elected ] for the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Referendum decision sparks launch of 'Yes' campaign|url= http://www.ellesmereportpioneer.co.uk/ellesmere-port-news/local-ellesmere-port-news/2003/06/17/referendum-decision-sparks-launch-of-yes-campaign-55940-13078046/|date=17 June 2003|accessdate=15 March 2009|publisher=Ellesmere Port Pioneer}}</ref> | |||
In 1999, Danczuk became the founding director of a research, public affairs and communications consultancy called Vision Twentyone alongside ], who would later become Director of Government Relations within ]'s Downing Street office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visiontwentyone.co.uk/v21_team.htm |title=The V21 team |publisher=Vision 21 |access-date=10 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102201008/http://www.visiontwentyone.co.uk/v21_team.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2014}}</ref> Danczuk held this position until his election to Parliament in 2010. He also has held research positions at '']'', ], ] and worked for academics at Lancaster University. | |||
Danczuk continued to be a director and majority shareholder in Urban Visions Limited after he became an MP, but it went into liquidation in June 2011, and was wound up owing £222,000 to creditors, including £113,000 to ].<ref name=men-20110712>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/rochdale-mps-firm-owes-taxman-865300 |title=Rochdale MP's firm owes taxman 110k after going bust |author=Deborah Linton |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=12 July 2011 |accessdate=2 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theyworkforyou.com/regmem/?d=2011-06-20#24808 |title=The Register of Members' Interests, 20 June 2011 - Simon Danczuk |work=TheyWorkForYou |publisher=mySociety |accessdate=5 February 2013}}</ref> | |||
Danczuk founded the Necessary Group, a campaign group of businessmen and politicians which campaigned prior to the expected ] for an elected ] for the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Referendum decision sparks launch of 'Yes' campaign|url= http://www.ellesmereportpioneer.co.uk/ellesmere-port-news/local-ellesmere-port-news/2003/06/17/referendum-decision-sparks-launch-of-yes-campaign-55940-13078046/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111006042408/http://www.ellesmereportpioneer.co.uk/ellesmere-port-news/local-ellesmere-port-news/2003/06/17/referendum-decision-sparks-launch-of-yes-campaign-55940-13078046/|url-status= dead|archive-date= 6 October 2011|date=17 June 2003|access-date=15 March 2009|publisher=Ellesmere Port Pioneer}}</ref> | |||
== Labour Party == | |||
Danczuk has been involved in the ] for many years having joined the ] through the ] in the late 1980s. At the age of 27, he was elected as a councillor to ], serving for eight years with portfolios including economic development and then education.<ref name="Selected"/> | |||
Danczuk was selected in early 2007 to be the ] Labour Party's ].<ref name="Selected">{{cite news |title=Simon Danczuk selected as Rochdale Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate |work=Rochdale Online |url=http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/community-news/3408/simon-danczuk-selected-as-rochdale-labour-party-prospective-parliamentary-candidate|date=26 January 2007}}</ref> He received death threats during the selection process, including a funeral wreath with flowers spelling 'Simon' and a four-foot cross being anonymously sent to his work office.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/quit-race-or-die-980521|title=Quit Race or Die|date=13 August 2007|work=]}}</ref> | |||
Prior to his selection for Labour in Rochdale he was also campaign manager for ], who was defending her seat in the ],<ref name="Maguire">{{cite news |url=http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/maguire/2007/01/not-just-dirty-deadly.html |author=Kevin Maguire |publisher=Daily Mirror |title=Not just dirty, deadly...| date=11 January 2007 |accessdate=15 March 2009}}</ref> at the ] – helping retain the seat for Labour with a reduced majority of 3,500. The next year, Danczuk was a campaign strategist for ] during the ] and sat on North West Labour’s Regional Board (the Party’s governing body for the region) for 13 years. He was Constituency Secretary for ] from 1991 to 1994, when Anderson took the seat for Labour for the first time in 1992, from ]. | |||
==Parliamentary career== | |||
Danczuk was selected in early 2007 to be Rochdale Labour Party's ].<ref name="Selected">{{cite web | title=Simon Danczuk selected as Rochdale Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate | work=Article on www.rochdaleonline.co.uk| url=http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/community-news/3408/simon-danczuk-selected-as-rochdale-labour-party-prospective-parliamentary-candidate|date=26 January 2007}}</ref> The acrimonious selection process was delayed due to problems with postal voting and the local party passing a motion of no confidence in the selection process. Local members were concerned that the short-listing process was deliberately manipulated in order to exclude ], a Manchester councillor, who had received the highest number of nominations. | |||
]]] | |||
Danczuk was first elected to Parliament in the ]. He unseated incumbent ] ] and secured a majority of 889 votes. Danczuk won the seat for Labour despite a microphone picking up Prime Minister ] calling ] resident Gillian Duffy a "bigoted woman" on a visit to the constituency during the campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.research-live.com/news/government/former-researchers-zahawi-and-danczuk-win-seats-in-uk-parliament/4002638.article|last=Verrinder|first=James|title=Former researchers Zahawi and Danczuk win seats in UK parliament|work=Research-Online.com|date=7 May 2010}}</ref> | |||
In May 2011, Danczuk made a criminal complaint to ] about Liberal Democrat MP and ], ], after it was alleged that Huhne had asked his wife, economist ], to take his penalty points for a speeding offence in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13404533|title=Police to decide whether to probe Huhne speeding claim|work=BBC News |date=15 May 2011}}</ref> On 3 February 2012, Huhne became the first Cabinet Minister in British political history to be forced from office as a ]. Huhne was later tried and imprisoned, as was Vicky Pryce.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/mar/11/chris-huhne-vicky-pryce|title=Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce each jailed for eight months|last=Walker|first=Peter|date=11 March 2013|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=23 April 2016}}</ref> | |||
In August 2006, '']'' magazine revealed that Danczuk's company Vision 21 had sent questionnaires to Labour members in Rochdale on behalf of the regional party—giving him an alleged unfair advantage as he had access to members' views.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=Tribune |url=http://archive.tribunemagazine.co.uk/article/19th-january-2007/4/charge-and-counter-charge-as-shambles-engulf |title=Charge and counter-charge as shambles engulf selections |author=Barckley Sumner |date=19 January 2007 |accessdate=14 November 2012}}</ref> Danczuk reported that he received death threats during the selection process.<ref name="Maguire"/> The postal ballot got a 78% turnout and Danczuk received almost twice as many votes as the second-placed candidate.<ref name="Selected"/> | |||
Danczuk was re-elected as the Labour MP for Rochdale at the ], substantially increasing his majority from 889 to 12,442 over the second-placed ] candidate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/elections/election-summary/25/rochdale-general-election-2015|title=Rochdale - General Election 2015: Results|work=Rochdale Online|issn=0261-3077|access-date=10 April 2020}}</ref> | |||
== Member of Parliament == | |||
In the 2010 election, Danczuk won 16,699 votes, unseating incumbent ] ], who received 15,810 as ] Mudasir Dean polled 8,305, despite the incident leading to Prime Minister ]'s "bigoted woman" remark having occurred in Rochdale.<ref></ref> | |||
Danczuk was critical of ]'s ] following his election as leader on 12 September 2015. The '']'' described him as Corbyn's "most outspoken internal critic".<ref name=ft-20151025>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ccc1c3b8-7b15-11e5-a1fe-567b37f80b64.html |title=Backbencher Danczuk threatens to challenge Corbyn for leadership |author=George Parker |work=Financial Times |date=25 October 2015 |access-date=1 January 2016}} {{subscription required}}</ref> | |||
In May 2011, Danczuk made a criminal complaint to ] about Liberal Democrat MP and ], ] after it was alleged that Huhne had asked someone to take his penalty points for a speeding offence in 2003.<ref>BBC News, , ''BBC News Online'', (15 May 2011)</ref> On 3 February 2012, Huhne became the first Cabinet Minister in British political history to be forced from office as a ].<ref>J. Chapman, , ''The Daily Mail'', 4 February 2012</ref> | |||
Danczuk was particularly active investigating historical allegations of child abuse against politicians. His campaigning attracted significant media attention and as a result he was one of the most high-profile backbench MPs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/19/simon-danczuk-labour-mp-censured-late-registration-daily-mail-cash |title=Simon Danczuk censured for late registration of Daily Mail cash |date=19 March 2015 |work= The Guardian|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> In March 2014 ''Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith'' was published, an exposé of child sexual abuse committed by former Rochdale MP ], written by Danczuk along with researcher and campaigner Matthew Baker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/smile-for-the-camera-hardback|title=Smile for the Camera|publisher=Biteback Publishing|access-date=12 April 2014}}</ref> The book was serialised in the '']'', and was named Political Book of the Year for 2014 by the '']''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96441/simon-danczuk-wins-contrarian-prize |title=Simon Danczuk wins Contrarian Prize |work=Rochdale Online |date=18 June 2015 |access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref> | |||
In the wake of the ] controversy, Danczuk compared some elements of the hard left to the far-right ] (BNP) in an opinion piece in '']''.<ref></ref> | |||
=== |
=== 2016 IPSA investigation into expenses === | ||
In February 2016, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) conducted an investigation into expenses claimed by Danczuk, following several newspaper investigations and a complaint from the member of the public. The report, published on 18 March 2016 concluded that Danczuk had claimed residency expenses for his two oldest children over a period of 3 years, which was required to be repaid—a total of £11,583.20 as well as £96.50 claimed for car parking charges, which had been claimed while he was on holiday in Spain.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Peter |date=18 March 2016 |title=Statement Of Provisional Findings - Mr Simon Danczuk MP - Member of Parliament for Rochdale - COM 1066 |url=http://parliamentarycompliance.org.uk/transparency/ClosedInvestigations/2015-16/Danczuk%20Simon/2016-03-18%20-%20Danczuk%20Simon%20-%20Statement%20of%20Provisional%20Findings.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206172127/http://parliamentarycompliance.org.uk/transparency/ClosedInvestigations/2015-16/Danczuk%20Simon/2016-03-18%20-%20Danczuk%20Simon%20-%20Statement%20of%20Provisional%20Findings.pdf |archive-date=6 February 2020 |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority}}</ref> | |||
The report's conclusion stated:<ref name=":0" /> "The evidence points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that the MP obtained an increase to his Accommodation Expenditure budget by claiming dependant uplifts for his two oldest children for a period of over three years, when, at no point were either of the children routinely resident. The Compliance Officer must also conclude that this was done knowing that there was no reasonable prospect of the children staying at the accommodation.''"'' | |||
Danczuk agreed to repay the £11,583.20 stating that he "I readily admit I did not read the rules. I relied on a member of staff to describe the rules to me at the time".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2016-03-18 |title=Simon Danczuk ordered to repay thousands of pounds in expenses |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/simon-danczuk-ordered-to-repay-thousands-of-pounds-in-expenses-a6938551.html |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> In a later separate statement, Danczuk referred to the rules as "vaguely worded"<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2016-03-18 |title=MP Simon Danczuk admits wrongly claiming £11,000 expenses |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-35813208 |access-date=2024-02-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> and admitted error on his part, stating he would repay the money at the earliest available opportunity.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> | |||
Following the report, the Metropolitan Police reported Danczuk referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service for criminal charges however the criminal case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perraudin |first=Frances |last2=reporter |first2=Frances Perraudin North of England |date=2018-02-13 |title=Former MP Simon Danczuk will not face charges over expenses |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/13/former-mp-simon-danczuk-not-face-charges-expenses-labour-rochdale |access-date=2024-02-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> | |||
In July 2016, Danczuk was then later alleged by '']'' newspaper to have claimed £500 to pay for a "crisis management" consultant's services over two days, three days after he was suspended from the Labour Party for his exchanging of sexually-explicit messages with then-17-year-old girl who had reached out to Danczuk's office seeking a career in politics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parveen |first=Nazia |last2=correspondent |first2=Nazia Parveen North of England |date=2016-07-01 |title=Labour MP claimed for ‘crisis management’ expenses after scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/01/labour-mp-simon-danczuk-crisis-management-expenses |access-date=2024-02-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> | |||
=== Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) === | |||
{{See also|Westminster paedophile dossier}} | {{See also|Westminster paedophile dossier}} | ||
In 2014 Danczuk, with researcher and campaigner Matthew Baker, published ''Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith'', an expose of the child abuse committed by his parliamentary predecessor in Rochdale, ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/smile-for-the-camera-hardback|title=Smile for the Camera|publisher=Biteback publishing|date=|accessdate=12 April 2014}}</ref> Danczuk said that Smith's abuse included spankings and forcing boys to perform sex acts on him. Danczuk described Smith as "a predatory paedophile and a prolific offender who would target the most vulnerable boys."<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Chris |title=MP defends book on Cyril Smith |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/book-describes--ex-rochdale-mp-6990663 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |accessdate=14 May 2014 |date=15 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
During a ] hearing in July 2014, Danczuk called for ], ] between 1983 and 1985, to make public what he knew about a dossier of allegations against politicians presented to him by ] (1931 – 1995, MP until 1995), which could identify several historic child sex abusers.<ref name=bbc-20140701>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28113517 |title=Leon Brittan urged to comment on 1980s 'paedophile dossier' |work=BBC News|date=1 July 2014 |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=bbc-20140702>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28125537 |title=Home Office under fire over 'lost' paedophile dossier |work=BBC News|date=2 July 2014 |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref> The ] stated that the dossier had not been retained in their files. Former ] ] said the circumstances in which the dossier had gone missing were alarming, and recommended an inquiry into what happened.<ref name=telegraph-20140702>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10942375/Launch-formal-investigation-into-the-lost-paedophile-dossier-says-former-DPP.html |title=Launch formal investigation into the lost paedophile dossier, says former DPP |author1=Georgia Graham |author2=James Kirkup |name-list-style=amp |work=The Telegraph |date=2 July 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014}} {{registration required}}</ref> | |||
Prime Minister ] subsequently asked the ] to investigate what happened to the missing dossier. The same month, Danczuk wrote to the ] asking for a review of the decision not to investigate certain historical allegations of sexual abuse made against senior Westminster politicians.<ref name=Exaronews-20140104>{{cite news |url=http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5296/simon-danczuk-asks-dpp-to-review-claim-over-elm-guest-house |title=Simon Danczuk ask DPP to review claim over Elm Guest House |author1=Mark Conrad |author2=David Hencke |name-list-style=amp |work=Exaro News |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
In July 2014 Danczuk called for former home secretary ] to make public what he knew about a dossier of allegations about paedophiles presented to him by ] MP between 1983 and 1985, which could identify several historic child sex abusers.<ref name=bbc-20140701>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28113517 |title=Leon Brittan urged to comment on 1980s 'paedophile dossier' |publisher=BBC |date=1 July 2014 |accessdate=2 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=bbc-20140702>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28125537 |title=Home Office under fire over 'lost' paedophile dossier |publisher=BBC |date=2 July 2014 |accessdate=2 July 2014}}</ref> The Home Office stated the dossier had not been retained in their files. Former ] ] said the circumstances in which the dossier had gone missing were alarming, and recommended an inquiry into its fate.<ref name=telegraph-20140702>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10942375/Launch-formal-investigation-into-the-lost-paedophile-dossier-says-former-DPP.html |title=Launch formal investigation into the lost paedophile dossier, says former DPP |author=Georgia Graham and James Kirkup |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2 July 2014 |accessdate=3 July 2014}}</ref> Prime Minister ] subsequently asked the ] to investigate what happened to the missing dossier. Danczuk responded that another internal inquiry was merely trying to limit damage, and that a public inquiry was necessary to retain public confidence.<ref name=guardian-20140704>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/04/david-cameron-orders-inquiry-westminster-child-abuse-claims-dossier |title=David Cameron asks top civil servant to look into Westminster child abuse claims |author=Rajeev Syal |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 July 2014 |accessdate=4 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
Danczuk's investigation significantly contributed to the decision of the government to set up the ], a statutory inquiry under the ], which opened on 9 July 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/simon-danczuk-steps-back-from-child-abuse-campaign-after-it-left-him-with-depression-and-a-wrecked-10369364.html|title=Simon Danczuk steps back from child abuse campaign after it left him with depression and a wrecked marriage|last=Dathan|first=Matt|date=6 July 2015|work=The Independent}}</ref> During the investigation, it was revealed that former ] leader ] learned about Cyril Smith's behaviour in 1979, but did nothing about it, and later nominated him for a knighthood. As a result, on 25 February 2020, he resigned from the ] and resigned from the ] on 27 March 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2020-02-25/lord-steel-resigns-from-liberal-democrats-and-house-of-lords-after-child-sex-abuse-inquiry-report/|title=Lord Steel resigns from Liberal Democrats and House of Lords after child sex abuse inquiry report|date=25 February 2020|work=ITV}}</ref> | |||
Danczuk also wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions asking for a review of the decision not to investigate certain historical allegations of sexual abuse made against senior Westminster politicians.<ref name=Exaronews-20140104>{{cite news |url=http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5296/simon-danczuk-asks-dpp-to-review-claim-over-elm-guest-house |title=Simon Danczuk ask DPP to review claim over Elm Guest House |author=Mark Conrad and David Hencke |newspaper=Exaro News |date=1 July 2014 |accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
For his investigative work on child abuse, Danczuk was named Campaigner of the Year by the ] in November 2014,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/92751/simon-danczuk-campaigner-of-the-year|title=Simon Danczuk: 'Campaigner of the Year'|date=25 November 2014|work=Rochdale Online}}</ref> and won the ] in June 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96441/simon-danczuk-wins-contrarian-prize |title=Simon Danczuk wins Contrarian Prize |work=Rochdale Online |date=18 June 2015 |access-date=11 April 2020}} {{subscription required}}</ref> | |||
== Suspension by the Labour party and resignation == | |||
In December 2015, Danczuk's membership of the Labour Party was suspended following reports he had exchanged explicit messages with a 17-year-old girl.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35204398|title=Labour's Simon Danczuk suspended over 'inappropriate behaviour'|date=31 December 2015|work=BBC}}</ref> Danczuk apologised for his behaviour, which he described as "inappropriate and stupid", and said the incident occurred during an extremely low point of his life after his second marriage had collapsed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/dec/31/labour-mp-simon-danczuk-suspended-over-explicit-text-message-allegations|title=Simon Danczuk apologises unreservedly after explicit texts claims|last=Perraudin|first=Frances|date=31 December 2015|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Danczuk was not found to have broken the law and was not expelled from the party, but the ] ruled that he would not be endorsed as a Labour Party candidate for the snap ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/01/labour-bans-rochdale-mp-simon-danczuk-from-standing-in-election|title=Labour bans Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk from standing in election |date=2 May 2017 }}</ref> He resigned from the party in May 2017 and contested Rochdale as an independent candidate, finishing in fifth place. Labour candidate ] won the seat.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/090676700-labour%E2%80%99s-tony-lloyd-wins-rochdale-seat-largest-majority-1832-whilst-incumbent-mp|title=Labour's Tony Lloyd wins Rochdale seat with largest majority since 1832 whilst incumbent MP Danczuk storms out of count|last=McDonnell|first=Seamus|date=9 June 2017|work=Mancunian Matters}}</ref> After the result, he said that he would not stand for election again.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/former-rochdale-mp-simon-danczuk-13166118|title=Former Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk says he will not return to politics following his election defeat|last=Fitzgerald|first=Todd|date=10 June 2017|work=Mancunian Matters}}</ref> | |||
On the day he was nominated for the Rochdale election, he was accused of ] in the Westminster area of London, resulting in him receiving abuse online and on the streets. The Metropolitan Police cleared Danczuk of all allegations shortly before the election, with him believing the accusation was an attempt to "sabotage" his campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bainbridge |first=Katherine |date=2017-06-01 |title=Former MP Simon Danczuk cleared over rape allegations |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/simon-danczuk-cleared-rape-allegation-13122521 |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Subsequent career== | |||
In February 2024 Danczuk announced that he had joined ] three months prior{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} and would be the ] candidate for the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rochdale Borough Council |date=2 February 2024 |title=STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED AND NOTICE OF POLL: Rochdale Constituency |url=https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/downloads/file/2123/statement-of-persons-nominated-and-notice-of-poll |access-date=3 January 2024 |website=rochdale.gov.uk}}</ref> Danczuk came sixth with 6.3 per cent of the votes cast.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-68402672|title=George Galloway wins Rochdale by-election by nearly 6,000 votes|publisher=BBC News|date=1 March 2024|accessdate=1 March 2024}}</ref> His party alleged that election was rigged and that Danczuk was threatened and subjected to "menacing behaviour". No further evidence was presented for the claim of rigging.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Timan |first=Joseph |date=2024-03-01 |title=Reform say Rochdale by-election was not 'free and fair' after death threat claim |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/reform-say-rochdale-election-not-28733799 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> | |||
One individual was taken into custody due to threatening him, after posting a video online, referencing Danczuk's leaflet which stated "vote for Rochdale, not Gaza" and stating that Danczuk resembled TV character ] before threatening him.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Britton |first=Paul |date=2024-02-26 |title=Death threats allegedly made against Simon Danczuk |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/death-threats-against-rochdale-election-28709073 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> The individual was later arrested.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blakey |first=Ashlie |date=2024-02-27 |title=Man arrested over alleged 'online threat' made to Simon Danczuk |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/man-arrested-over-alleged-online-28712686 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Personal life == | == Personal life == | ||
Danczuk has been married three times; his first two marriages ended in divorce, and he has two children each by his first and second wives.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sex-text-mp-simon-danczuk-7285250 |title=Sex text MP Simon Danczuk faces watchdog probe over expenses claims for 'children he rarely sees'|last=Mudie|first=Keir|date=1 February 2016|work=Daily Mirror}}</ref> | |||
Danczuk is married to Karen Danczuk, who is a councillor for Kingsway, ].<ref name=men-20131209>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mp-simon-danczuks-new-sandwich-6387953 |title=MP's new sandwich shop opens for business |author=Paul Gallagher |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=9 December 2013 |accessdate=2 January 2014}}</ref> Danczuk was previously married to Sonia Milewski with whom he had two children. They divorced in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/29506/danczuk-divorced-for-adultery |title=Danczuk divorced for adultery |newspaper=Rochdale Online |date=9 September 2009 |accessdate=2 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=mail-20140616>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2658971/I-took-ecstasy-cannabis-Labour-MP-Simon-Danczuk-admits-drug-fuelled-nights-wife-defends-cleavage-selfies.html |title='I took ecstasy and cannabis': Labour MP Simon Danczuk admits drug fuelled nights out, as wife defends 'cleavage selfies' |author=Tom Mctague |newspaper=Daily Mail |date=16 June 2014 |accessdate=2 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
Danczuk married ] in 2012.<ref name=guardian-20151231>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/dec/31/simon-danczuk-a-campaigning-mp-with-a-complicated-personal-life |title=Simon Danczuk: a campaigning MP with a complex personal life |author=Rajeev Syal |newspaper=] |date=31 December 2015 |access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref> They have two sons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/11365469/Karen-Danczuk-Dont-dare-say-I-set-a-bad-example.html|title=Karen Danczuk: 'Don't dare say I set a bad example'|first=Bryony|last=Gordon|date=24 January 2015|access-date=25 June 2019|website=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The couple separated in June 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/11705102/Labour-MP-Simon-Danczuk-splits-from-wife-Karen.html|title=Labour MP Simon Danczuk splits from wife Karen|work=Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=29 June 2015|access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> In July 2015, he said that he had been suffering from ] caused by his campaigning work on child sexual abuse and that this had affected their marriage.<ref>{{cite web|title=MP Simon Danczuk to step back from child abuse campaign|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33409563|website=BBC News|access-date=6 July 2015|date=6 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Perraudin|first=Frances|title=Simon Danczuk steps back from campaigning against child abuse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/06/simon-danczuk-steps-back-campaigning-against-child-abuse|access-date=6 July 2015|newspaper=]|date=6 July 2015}}</ref> | |||
== Bibliography == | |||
*''Walk on By...Begging, Street Drinking and the Giving Age'' (2001), ]<ref>http://www.crisis.org.uk/data/files/publications/WalkOnBy_full%5B1%5D.pdf</ref> | |||
*''The Jury's Out on User Consultation'' (2002), Druglink<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beta.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/the-jurys-out-on-user-consultation/r/a1CG0000000GgSoMAK |title=Social Care Online | The jury's out on user consultation |publisher=Beta.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk |date= |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith'' (2014, with Matthew Baker), Biteback, ISBN 978-1-849-54644-7 | |||
In 2022, he became engaged to Claudine Uwamahoro, a Rwandan beauty therapist whom he met on a business trip to ] in March 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-MP suspended over sexting row is engaged with beauty therapist half his age|last=Hill|first=Patrick|work=Daily Mirror|date=12 November 2022|access-date=5 August 2023|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/ex-mp-simon-danczuk-suspended-28475398}}</ref> and they married in July 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/i-swapped-rwanda-rochdale-marry-31072646 | title='I swapped Rwanda for Rochdale to marry ex-Labour and now we're adopting' | website=] | date=30 September 2023 }}</ref> | |||
== Articles == | |||
*''Has anyone noticed Tory tanks rolling onto Labour's lawn?'', 7 April 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/04/has-anyone-noticed-tory-tanks-rolling-onto-labours-lawn/ |title=Has anyone noticed Tory tanks rolling onto Labour’s lawn? » Spectator Blogs |publisher=Blogs.spectator.co.uk |date= |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
==Books by Simon Danczuk== | |||
*''It's time Labour talked about universal benefits'', 31 March 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/simondanczuk/2014/03/its-time-we-talked-about-universal-benefits/ |title=It's time Labour talked about universal benefits » Spectator Blogs |publisher=Blogs.spectator.co.uk |date=31 March 2014 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
* Danczuk, Simon and Baker, Matthew (2014). ''Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of ]''. ]. {{ISBN| 978-1-849546-44-7}}. | |||
*''A Small Business Kitemark would foster local government best practice'', 12 March 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tenentrepreneurs.org/manifesto/a-small-business-kitemark-would-foster-local-government-best-practice/ |title=A Small Business Kitemark would foster local government best practice |publisher=Tenentrepreneurs.org |date=11 April 2014 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
* Danczuk, Simon and Smith, Daniel (2022). ''Scandal at Dolphin Square''. ]. {{ISBN| 9780750997140}}. | |||
*''Policy makers must learn to understand the working class'', 4 March 2014<ref>{{cite web|last=Stern |first=Stefan |url=http://labourlist.org/2014/03/policy-makers-must-learn-to-understand-the-working-class/ |title=Policy makers must learn to understand the working class |publisher=LabourList |date=4 March 2014 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''It's Much Harder to Set Up a Successful Small Business Than Become a Politician'', 27 February 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/simon-danczuk/parliament-representation-small-business_b_4859259.html |title=It's Much Harder to Set Up a Successful Small Business Than Become a Politician | Simon Danczuk |publisher=Huffingtonpost.co.uk |date= |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Don't vote? Maybe you don't deserve an MP'', 25 February 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/simon-danczuk-voter-apathy-dont-6741779 |title=Simon Danczuk on voter apathy: We don't need Russell Brand to tell us we're in a full-blown democratic crisis |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=25 February 2014 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''This is not the way to reform welfare'', 21 January 2014<ref>{{cite web|last=Pope |first=Conor |url=http://labourlist.org/2014/01/this-is-not-the-way-to-reform-welfare/ |title=This is not the way to reform welfare |publisher=LabourList |date=21 January 2014 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''The new 'on mess' is being off message'', 7 January 2014<ref>{{cite web|author=Simon Danczuk |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1226143/new-on-message-off-message |title=The new 'on message' is being off message |publisher=Prweek.com |date=7 January 2014 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Labour is now the friend of small business'', 31 October 2013<ref>{{cite web|last=Stern |first=Stefan |url=http://labourlist.org/2013/10/labour-is-now-the-friend-of-small-business/ |title=Labour is now the friend of small business |publisher=LabourList |date=31 October 2013 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Let's all take a deep breath...'', 10 July 2013<ref>{{cite web|last=Stern |first=Stefan |url=http://labourlist.org/2013/07/lets-all-take-a-deep-breath/ |title=Let’s all take a deep breath... |publisher=LabourList |date=10 July 2013 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Labour's militant left no better than BNP'', 9 July 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10167562/Simon-Danczuk-MP-Labours-militant-left-no-better-than-BNP.html |title=Simon Danczuk MP: 'Labour's militant left no better than BNP' |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date= |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Personal responsibility has to be at the heart of our welfare system'', 8 June 2013<ref>{{cite news |last=Danczuk |first=Simon |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10107735/Simon-Danczuk-MP-Personal-responsibility-has-to-be-at-the-heart-of-our-welfare-system.html |title=Simon Danczuk MP: 'Personal responsibility has to be at the heart of our welfare system' |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date= |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''We must challenge the biggest welfare myth of all'', 20 May 2013<ref>{{cite web|last=Pope |first=Conor |url=http://labourlist.org/2013/05/we-must-challenge-the-biggest-welfare-myth-of-all/ |title=We must challenge the biggest welfare myth of all |publisher=LabourList |date=20 May 2013 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''We can't ignore the tragedy of people's potential going to waste'', 7 April 2013<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9977735/Simon-Danczuk-MP-We-cant-ignore-the-tragedy-of-peoples-potential-going-to-waste.html |title=Simon Danczuk MP: 'We can't ignore the tragedy of people's potential going to waste' |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date= |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Labour should forge stronger links with Fatah'', 4 January 2013<ref name="telegraph1"/> | |||
*''The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all'', 30 March 2012<ref>{{cite web|last=Stern |first=Stefan |url=http://labourlist.org/2012/03/the-policy-of-being-too-cautious-is-the-greatest-risk-of-all/ |title=The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all |publisher=LabourList |date=30 March 2012 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''Grant Shapps must hit the ground running'', 24 January 2012<ref name="labourlist1">{{cite web|last=Stern |first=Stefan |url=http://labourlist.org/2012/01/grant-shapps-must-hit-the-ground-running/ |title=Grant Shapps must hit the ground running |publisher=LabourList |date=4 January 2012 |accessdate=22 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
*''A place to rebuild their shattered lives'', 26 September 2011<ref name="labourlist1"/> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. --> | |||
| NAME = Danczuk, Simon | |||
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | |||
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British politician | |||
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1966-11-24 | |||
| PLACE OF BIRTH = ], Lancashire, England | |||
| DATE OF DEATH = | |||
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Latest revision as of 15:07, 18 December 2024
British politician (born 1966)
Simon Danczuk | |
---|---|
Simon Danczuk with Eleanor Laing, in 2013 | |
Member of Parliament for Rochdale | |
In office 6 May 2010 – 3 May 2017 | |
Preceded by | Paul Rowen |
Succeeded by | Tony Lloyd |
Personal details | |
Born | Simon Christopher Danczuk (1966-10-24) 24 October 1966 (age 58) Hapton, Lancashire, England |
Political party | Reform UK (2023–present) |
Other political affiliations | Labour (before 2017) |
Alma mater | Lancaster University |
Simon Christopher Danczuk (/ˈdæntʃək/ DAN-chək; born 24 October 1966) is a British author and former Member of Parliament (MP) who represented the constituency of Rochdale between 2010 and 2017. Elected as a member of the Labour Party, he was suspended from the party in 2015 after it emerged he had exchanged explicit messages with a 17-year-old girl. He has co-written two books, Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith and Scandal at Dolphin Square. He was the Reform UK candidate in the 2024 Rochdale by-election, which was later won by Workers Party of Britain leader George Galloway. He came sixth behind Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives and Independent candidate David Tully.
Early life
Danczuk grew up in Hapton, Lancashire and is of Polish descent. He attended Gawthorpe School, now called Shuttleworth College in Burnley.
Career
He began his working life at the age of sixteen in a factory making gas fires, before moving to the chemical company ICI. Whilst working, he studied at night school and gained qualifications he had missed at secondary school. He then gained a place as a mature student at Lancaster University, where he studied Economics, Politics and Sociology.
Danczuk became involved in the Labour movement after joining the Labour Party through the GMB trade union in the late 1980s. In 1993, at the age of 27, he was elected as a councillor to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and served for six years, with portfolios including economic development and education.
In 1999, Danczuk became the founding director of a research, public affairs and communications consultancy called Vision Twentyone alongside Ruth Turner, who would later become Director of Government Relations within Tony Blair's Downing Street office. Danczuk held this position until his election to Parliament in 2010. He also has held research positions at The Big Issue in the North, Opinion Research Corporation, Bolton Bury TEC and worked for academics at Lancaster University.
Danczuk founded the Necessary Group, a campaign group of businessmen and politicians which campaigned prior to the expected referendums for an elected Regional Assembly for the North West of England.
Danczuk was selected in early 2007 to be the Rochdale Labour Party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. He received death threats during the selection process, including a funeral wreath with flowers spelling 'Simon' and a four-foot cross being anonymously sent to his work office.
Parliamentary career
Danczuk was first elected to Parliament in the 2010 general election. He unseated incumbent Liberal Democrat Paul Rowen and secured a majority of 889 votes. Danczuk won the seat for Labour despite a microphone picking up Prime Minister Gordon Brown calling Rochdale resident Gillian Duffy a "bigoted woman" on a visit to the constituency during the campaign.
In May 2011, Danczuk made a criminal complaint to Essex Police about Liberal Democrat MP and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, after it was alleged that Huhne had asked his wife, economist Vicky Pryce, to take his penalty points for a speeding offence in 2003. On 3 February 2012, Huhne became the first Cabinet Minister in British political history to be forced from office as a result of criminal proceedings. Huhne was later tried and imprisoned, as was Vicky Pryce.
Danczuk was re-elected as the Labour MP for Rochdale at the 2015 general election, substantially increasing his majority from 889 to 12,442 over the second-placed UKIP candidate.
Danczuk was critical of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the party following his election as leader on 12 September 2015. The Financial Times described him as Corbyn's "most outspoken internal critic".
Danczuk was particularly active investigating historical allegations of child abuse against politicians. His campaigning attracted significant media attention and as a result he was one of the most high-profile backbench MPs. In March 2014 Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith was published, an exposé of child sexual abuse committed by former Rochdale MP Cyril Smith, written by Danczuk along with researcher and campaigner Matthew Baker. The book was serialised in the Daily Mail, and was named Political Book of the Year for 2014 by the Sunday Times.
2016 IPSA investigation into expenses
In February 2016, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) conducted an investigation into expenses claimed by Danczuk, following several newspaper investigations and a complaint from the member of the public. The report, published on 18 March 2016 concluded that Danczuk had claimed residency expenses for his two oldest children over a period of 3 years, which was required to be repaid—a total of £11,583.20 as well as £96.50 claimed for car parking charges, which had been claimed while he was on holiday in Spain.
The report's conclusion stated: "The evidence points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that the MP obtained an increase to his Accommodation Expenditure budget by claiming dependant uplifts for his two oldest children for a period of over three years, when, at no point were either of the children routinely resident. The Compliance Officer must also conclude that this was done knowing that there was no reasonable prospect of the children staying at the accommodation."
Danczuk agreed to repay the £11,583.20 stating that he "I readily admit I did not read the rules. I relied on a member of staff to describe the rules to me at the time". In a later separate statement, Danczuk referred to the rules as "vaguely worded" and admitted error on his part, stating he would repay the money at the earliest available opportunity.
Following the report, the Metropolitan Police reported Danczuk referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service for criminal charges however the criminal case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
In July 2016, Danczuk was then later alleged by The Guardian newspaper to have claimed £500 to pay for a "crisis management" consultant's services over two days, three days after he was suspended from the Labour Party for his exchanging of sexually-explicit messages with then-17-year-old girl who had reached out to Danczuk's office seeking a career in politics.
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)
See also: Westminster paedophile dossierDuring a Home Affairs Select Committee hearing in July 2014, Danczuk called for Leon Brittan, Home Secretary between 1983 and 1985, to make public what he knew about a dossier of allegations against politicians presented to him by Geoffrey Dickens (1931 – 1995, MP until 1995), which could identify several historic child sex abusers. The Home Office stated that the dossier had not been retained in their files. Former Director of Public Prosecutions Lord Macdonald said the circumstances in which the dossier had gone missing were alarming, and recommended an inquiry into what happened.
Prime Minister David Cameron subsequently asked the Home Office Permanent Secretary to investigate what happened to the missing dossier. The same month, Danczuk wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions asking for a review of the decision not to investigate certain historical allegations of sexual abuse made against senior Westminster politicians.
Danczuk's investigation significantly contributed to the decision of the government to set up the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, which opened on 9 July 2015. During the investigation, it was revealed that former Liberal Party leader David Steel learned about Cyril Smith's behaviour in 1979, but did nothing about it, and later nominated him for a knighthood. As a result, on 25 February 2020, he resigned from the Liberal Democrats and resigned from the House of Lords on 27 March 2020.
For his investigative work on child abuse, Danczuk was named Campaigner of the Year by the Political Studies Association in November 2014, and won the Contrarian Prize in June 2015.
Suspension by the Labour party and resignation
In December 2015, Danczuk's membership of the Labour Party was suspended following reports he had exchanged explicit messages with a 17-year-old girl. Danczuk apologised for his behaviour, which he described as "inappropriate and stupid", and said the incident occurred during an extremely low point of his life after his second marriage had collapsed. Danczuk was not found to have broken the law and was not expelled from the party, but the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party ruled that he would not be endorsed as a Labour Party candidate for the snap 2017 United Kingdom general election. He resigned from the party in May 2017 and contested Rochdale as an independent candidate, finishing in fifth place. Labour candidate Tony Lloyd won the seat. After the result, he said that he would not stand for election again.
On the day he was nominated for the Rochdale election, he was accused of rape in the Westminster area of London, resulting in him receiving abuse online and on the streets. The Metropolitan Police cleared Danczuk of all allegations shortly before the election, with him believing the accusation was an attempt to "sabotage" his campaign.
Subsequent career
In February 2024 Danczuk announced that he had joined Reform UK three months prior and would be the Reform UK candidate for the 2024 Rochdale by-election. Danczuk came sixth with 6.3 per cent of the votes cast. His party alleged that election was rigged and that Danczuk was threatened and subjected to "menacing behaviour". No further evidence was presented for the claim of rigging.
One individual was taken into custody due to threatening him, after posting a video online, referencing Danczuk's leaflet which stated "vote for Rochdale, not Gaza" and stating that Danczuk resembled TV character Phil Mitchell before threatening him. The individual was later arrested.
Personal life
Danczuk has been married three times; his first two marriages ended in divorce, and he has two children each by his first and second wives.
Danczuk married Karen Burke in 2012. They have two sons. The couple separated in June 2015. In July 2015, he said that he had been suffering from depression caused by his campaigning work on child sexual abuse and that this had affected their marriage.
In 2022, he became engaged to Claudine Uwamahoro, a Rwandan beauty therapist whom he met on a business trip to Rwanda in March 2022, and they married in July 2023.
Books by Simon Danczuk
- Danczuk, Simon and Baker, Matthew (2014). Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith. Biteback Publishing. ISBN 978-1-849546-44-7. Extract
- Danczuk, Simon and Smith, Daniel (2022). Scandal at Dolphin Square. The History Press Ltd. ISBN 9780750997140.
References
- Pidd, Helen (1 February 2024). "Ex-MP Simon Danczuk suspended for sexting to fight byelection for Reform". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- Gimson, Andrew (10 July 2014). "Profile: Simon Danczuk, the tough Rochdale MP unafraid to ask the difficult questions on child sex abuse". Conservative Home. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- McFadden, Brendan (1 February 2024). "Ex-Labour MP who sent explicit texts to 17 year old to stand as Reform candidate". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- Council, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough (29 February 2024). "Election results for Rochdale, 29 February 2024". democracy.rochdale.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- "Rochdale". UK Polling Report 2010. Anthony Wells.
- "Simon Danczuk Campaigns Against Child Abuse". Steps Alumni Magazine. Lancaster University. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "Simon Danczuk selected as Rochdale Labour Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate". Rochdale Online. 26 January 2007.
- "The V21 team". Vision 21. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- "Referendum decision sparks launch of 'Yes' campaign". Ellesmere Port Pioneer. 17 June 2003. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
- "Quit Race or Die". Manchester Evening News. 13 August 2007.
- Verrinder, James (7 May 2010). "Former researchers Zahawi and Danczuk win seats in UK parliament". Research-Online.com.
- "Police to decide whether to probe Huhne speeding claim". BBC News. 15 May 2011.
- Walker, Peter (11 March 2013). "Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce each jailed for eight months". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- "Rochdale - General Election 2015: Results". Rochdale Online. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- George Parker (25 October 2015). "Backbencher Danczuk threatens to challenge Corbyn for leadership". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 January 2016. (subscription required)
- "Simon Danczuk censured for late registration of Daily Mail cash". The Guardian. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- "Smile for the Camera". Biteback Publishing. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- "Simon Danczuk wins Contrarian Prize". Rochdale Online. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ Davis, Peter (18 March 2016). "Statement Of Provisional Findings - Mr Simon Danczuk MP - Member of Parliament for Rochdale - COM 1066" (PDF). Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Simon Danczuk ordered to repay thousands of pounds in expenses". The Independent. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "MP Simon Danczuk admits wrongly claiming £11,000 expenses". BBC News. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- Perraudin, Frances; reporter, Frances Perraudin North of England (13 February 2018). "Former MP Simon Danczuk will not face charges over expenses". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- Parveen, Nazia; correspondent, Nazia Parveen North of England (1 July 2016). "Labour MP claimed for 'crisis management' expenses after scandal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
{{cite news}}
:|last2=
has generic name (help) - "Leon Brittan urged to comment on 1980s 'paedophile dossier'". BBC News. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- "Home Office under fire over 'lost' paedophile dossier". BBC News. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- Georgia Graham & James Kirkup (2 July 2014). "Launch formal investigation into the lost paedophile dossier, says former DPP". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2014. (registration required)
- Mark Conrad & David Hencke (1 July 2014). "Simon Danczuk ask DPP to review claim over Elm Guest House". Exaro News. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- Dathan, Matt (6 July 2015). "Simon Danczuk steps back from child abuse campaign after it left him with depression and a wrecked marriage". The Independent.
- "Lord Steel resigns from Liberal Democrats and House of Lords after child sex abuse inquiry report". ITV. 25 February 2020.
- "Simon Danczuk: 'Campaigner of the Year'". Rochdale Online. 25 November 2014.
- "Simon Danczuk wins Contrarian Prize". Rochdale Online. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2020. (subscription required)
- "Labour's Simon Danczuk suspended over 'inappropriate behaviour'". BBC. 31 December 2015.
- Perraudin, Frances (31 December 2015). "Simon Danczuk apologises unreservedly after explicit texts claims". The Guardian.
- "Labour bans Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk from standing in election". 2 May 2017.
- McDonnell, Seamus (9 June 2017). "Labour's Tony Lloyd wins Rochdale seat with largest majority since 1832 whilst incumbent MP Danczuk storms out of count". Mancunian Matters.
- Fitzgerald, Todd (10 June 2017). "Former Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk says he will not return to politics following his election defeat". Mancunian Matters.
- Bainbridge, Katherine (1 June 2017). "Former MP Simon Danczuk cleared over rape allegations". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- Rochdale Borough Council (2 February 2024). "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED AND NOTICE OF POLL: Rochdale Constituency". rochdale.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- "George Galloway wins Rochdale by-election by nearly 6,000 votes". BBC News. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Timan, Joseph (1 March 2024). "Reform say Rochdale by-election was not 'free and fair' after death threat claim". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- Britton, Paul (26 February 2024). "Death threats allegedly made against Simon Danczuk". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
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- Mudie, Keir (1 February 2016). "Sex text MP Simon Danczuk faces watchdog probe over expenses claims for 'children he rarely sees'". Daily Mirror.
- Rajeev Syal (31 December 2015). "Simon Danczuk: a campaigning MP with a complex personal life". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- Gordon, Bryony (24 January 2015). "Karen Danczuk: 'Don't dare say I set a bad example'". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- "Labour MP Simon Danczuk splits from wife Karen". Daily Telegraph. London. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- "MP Simon Danczuk to step back from child abuse campaign". BBC News. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
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- Hill, Patrick (12 November 2022). "Ex-MP suspended over sexting row is engaged with beauty therapist half his age". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- "'I swapped Rwanda for Rochdale to marry ex-Labour and now we're adopting'". Daily Mirror. 30 September 2023.
External links
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Voting record at Public Whip
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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Preceded byPaul Rowen | Member of Parliament for Rochdale 2010–2017 |
Succeeded byTony Lloyd |
- 1966 births
- 21st-century English male writers
- Alumni of Lancaster University
- Alumni of Cartmel College, Lancaster
- Councillors in Lancashire
- English male non-fiction writers
- English non-fiction writers
- English people of Polish descent
- Independent members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom
- Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies
- Living people
- Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Rochdale
- Politicians from Rochdale
- Reform UK parliamentary candidates
- Sexual abuse victim advocates
- UK MPs 2010–2015
- UK MPs 2015–2017