Former Mayor rejoins the Labour Party now Simon Danczuk is no longer a member

Photo: Lambourne Images

Robin Parker when he was Mayor of Rochdale

Robin Parker, former Mayor and councillor for 20 years, has rejoined the Labour Party now Simon Danczuk is no longer a member.

Mr Parker resigned from the Labour party in 2009 as a direct result of the ‘Rochdale Seven’ being found guilty of bringing the party into disrepute - Danczuk’s complaint instigated the proceedings. 

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/30065/former-mayor-quits-labour-party-over-danczuk-debacle

Mr Parker said: “I resigned in the first place because seven, good, hard-working members of the Party were expelled or suspended for the ‘heinous’ crime of daring to ask for an enquiry into Simon Danczuk’s holiday in Spain, when he left his then partner, Karen Burke, with his baby and a young relative at Alicante airport, with no means to return home.

“Officers of the regional Labour Party took the blinkered view of ‘our candidate, right or wrong’ and five of the seven were expelled and the other two resigned in sympathy [after being suspended], as did I. The charges were ‘bringing the Party into disrepute’, which now seem pretty laughable considering Simon’s subsequent behaviour and suspension from the Party accordingly.

“However, Simon has now resigned and so I feel able to rejoin the party which I joined in 1975 and from which I would never have dreamed my conscience would force me to resign. It will feel good to be back.”

Former Danczuk spin doctor, Matt Baker was revealed to be responsible for a 'vile attack' and 'smear campaign' on Mr Parker. Baker, who worked for Danczuk for eight years, was the author of an email, sent in 2012, that made very serious and highly damaging false allegations against Mr Parker.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/98147/former-danczuk-spin-doctor-matt-baker-accused-of-vile-attack-and-smear-campaign

Danczuk did not reply to an invitation to comment.