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Simon Danczuk suspension: 'I was only a year older than the Rochdale grooming victims' says teenager messaged by MP | Simon Danczuk suspension: 'I was only a year older than the Rochdale grooming victims' says teenager messaged by MP |
(3 days later) | |
The 17-year-old girl who reportedly received sexually explicit messages from Labour MP Simon Danczuk has today spoken of her distress, saying she was only a year older than the Rochdale grooming victims when the allegd messages were exchanged. | |
Speaking to The Sun, Sophena Houlihan said: “It is not professional at all. He should know better. He’s got a bad reputation from it all. That is down to him. | Speaking to The Sun, Sophena Houlihan said: “It is not professional at all. He should know better. He’s got a bad reputation from it all. That is down to him. |
“If I was a year younger then I would have been the same age as some of the Rochdale grooming victims he tried to help.” | “If I was a year younger then I would have been the same age as some of the Rochdale grooming victims he tried to help.” |
Ms Houlihan says she contacted Mr Danczuk, 49, to ask for work in his constituency office this summer. She says she was subsequently bombarded with a series of messages by the Rochdale MP who described himself as “horny” and spoke of wanting to “spank” the teenager. | |
During his time in parliament, Mr Danczuk has worked to out his predecessor Sir Cyril Smith as a paedophile. He is well known for campaigning against child abuse in Rochdale and was last year named campaigning MP of the year for his efforts. | During his time in parliament, Mr Danczuk has worked to out his predecessor Sir Cyril Smith as a paedophile. He is well known for campaigning against child abuse in Rochdale and was last year named campaigning MP of the year for his efforts. |
He has now been suspended by the Labour party in light of his communications with Ms Houlihan. | He has now been suspended by the Labour party in light of his communications with Ms Houlihan. |
Yesterday, Mr Danczuk tweeted an unreserved apology for his behaviour. He wrote: “My behaviour was inappropriate and I apologise unreservedly to everyone I’ve let down. I was stupid and there’s no fool like an old fool.” | Yesterday, Mr Danczuk tweeted an unreserved apology for his behaviour. He wrote: “My behaviour was inappropriate and I apologise unreservedly to everyone I’ve let down. I was stupid and there’s no fool like an old fool.” |
He added in a subsequent tweet: “I’m more saddened that this episode could overshadow the important work we’re doing to help Rochdale and that's where my focus lies.” | He added in a subsequent tweet: “I’m more saddened that this episode could overshadow the important work we’re doing to help Rochdale and that's where my focus lies.” |