Simon Danczuk in spat with journalist over South Street Nursery

Simon Danczuk

Simon Danczuk has been embroiled in a spat on Twitter with Manchester Evening News political journalist Jen Williams about the proposed closure of South Street Nursery in Rochdale.

Mr Danczuk posted asking people to show support for South Street Nursery by attending a public meeting today at Wardleworth Community Centre, organised as part of a campaign he has backed to save the nursery from closure by Rochdale Borough Council.

Ms Williams responded: "How strange. Council leader told me on Dec 14 it had already been decided it would stay open."

Mr Danczuk replied: "...if you're going to report on it, try and understand it."

Ms Williams, clearly puzzled as to why Mr Danczuk was still pushing the meeting when the council leader had told her the decision had already been taken, reiterated: "...it was the council leader who told me it had been 'decided'. I am well aware of how local government works."

Asked to comment, a spokesman for Simon Danczuk said: "Just to clarify, Richard Farnell has said he will personally recommend the nursery stays open. But this has yet to be put to a cabinet vote, so the final decision hasn't been made yet. It's far from a foregone conclusion, hence the meeting to show public support for it staying open."

Councillor Farnell has not responded to a request to comment.