How long will Labour go easy on Danczuk?

Simon Danczuk MP, who was suspended by the Labour Party after admitting he had sent inappropriate texts of a sexual nature to a young woman, is reported to have been arrested in Alicante, Spain after an incident involving his wife.

Mr Danczuk is thought to have been on holiday with his wife, from whom he is separated, and their two children. There are reports that an incident occurred on Sunday evening, after which Ms Danczuk received hospital treatment for minor cuts and bruises. Mr Danczuk is believed to have been arrested on Monday morning and to have been held in custody overnight. If Mr Danczuk is charged with any offences, he would appear in a Spanish Court later this week.

The Spanish police have stated that an unnamed man was arrested in connection with an incident of domestic violence and remains in custody. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has confirmed that it is contact with a man meeting Mr Danczuk’s description. Mr Danczuk’s office has refused to make a comment on the incident and reporters have not been able to contact Mr Danczuk himself or Ms Danczuk.

In the first instance, readers will be concerned for Ms Danczuk’s safety and, above all, for the welfare of the children. However, the next concern will be over why the Labour Party has not taken swifter action against Mr Danczuk. He was suspended for inappropriate sexual behaviour to a 17 year old woman as long ago as last December. After the incident, he appeared on TV and was interviewed by the press and said both that he “preferred young women” and “was in a dark place”: both sentiments have been used by men before in an attempt to explain away their inappropriate behaviour, but neither has ever been accepted as justification.

The Labour Party appears not to have finished its investigations into this matter which came to light eight months ago. It has not formally charged him with breaking Labour Party rules (such as conduct which brings the Labour Party into disrepute) or held a hearing. This leaves the citizens of Rochdale with an MP who is known for inappropriate behaviour but whom the Labour Party has taken no steps to remove. Would a young woman who lived in Rochdale be confident of going to meet her MP to discuss whether he could help her with the consequences of domestic violence in her own life? Clearly not – but the Labour Party is taking no steps to ensure the voters have proper representation.

Simon Danczuk is known to be an opponent of Jeremy Corbyn: shortly after Corbyn was elected Leader last year, Danczuk announced that he would stand against him if the May election results were no good. Given his suspension, this boast was never tested.

Another opponent of Jeremy Corbyn, Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, was interviewed on Radio 4’s influential lunchtime new programme, The World at One, today (16th August). She said that women MPs were being threatened and abused by members of the public and Jeremy Corbyn should do more to stop this. Her implication was that Corbyn either encouraged this abuse or, at least, was being soft on it – an allegation that Corbyn has often denied and described as a smear.

The Labour Party leadership has no influence over the disciplinary process, which remains in the hands of party officials so that it can be seen to be impartial of the political leadership of the Party. Jess Phillips and others should now be rushing to ask why their own party officials are sitting on their hands when it comes to taking action against one of their own former comrades – and demanding that proper disciplinary action is now taken, without delay.

•For the full story of Simon Danczuk’s inappropriate texts, go to:
https://eastlondonnews.co.uk/danczuk-suspended-after-inappropriate-behaviour/

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