Councillor Andy Kelly calls for Simon Danczuk to resign

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk

Councillor Andy Kelly has called for Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk to resign.

Councillor Kelly described the council as being “in the middle of a farce being played out on a merry go round” whilst Mr Danczuk and his estranged wife Karen play out their lives in the national and local media.

Councillor Kelly added: “It must be hard for the leader to attract business into the town when Rochdale is in the press for all of the wrong reasons.

“Do you still fully support our MP or will you join me in asking for his resignation?”

Councillor Kelly’s comments received boos from Labour councillors in attendance at yesterday’s (Wednesday 15 July) Rochdale Council meeting, with Councillor Neil Emmott describing the comments as “pathetic”.

Councillor Peter Williams, Deputy Leader of the Council, responded to the comments and said: “There have been a number of personal issues that have been fed by the media but if you look at the reports, you will see that despite damaging headlines over the last two to three years, it has had no effect on businesses coming to Rochdale.”

Councillor Kelly asked Councillor Williams to clarify his comments and added: “Are you saying that there has been no difference to trade in Rochdale as to what has been going on recently?”

Councillor Neil Emmott told Councillor Kelly to “sit down” and also stated that his comments were “pathetic”.

Councillor Kelly did not take lightly to these comments and shouted that he would not be told to “sit down by a member of the cabinet”.

Mayor or Rochdale Surinder Biant, chairman of the meeting, was not impressed and told Councillor Emmott that his behaviour was unacceptable.

Councillor Williams defended the MP again and added: “The reason you have brought up has had no effect.”

Councillor Allen Brett also weighed in on the debate and said: “I have to disagree with Councillor Kelly. Mr Danczuk got a good record majority and I have found him very supportive with business and with supporting this borough.”

Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Farnell was not in attendance at the meeting.

Mr Danczuk said: "Councillor Kelly's remarks are in very poor taste; he should concentrate more on council business and less on my personal life."