Mulgrew steps down as parliamentary candidate for Rossendale

Councillor Dale Mulgrew

Rochdale Council's Deputy Leader, Councillor Dale Mulgrew, has withdrawn from the race to become MP for Rossendale.

Councillor Mulgrew withdrew from his position as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate in the upcoming general election, saying he wanted to concentrate on his duties in Rochdale.

Councillor Mulgrew said: "This is a decision I have not taken lightly, but clearly my priority from now on has to be on Rochdale. There are a lot of challenges ahead, and what remains upmost in my thinking is continuing to represent the people of Balderstone and Kirkholt."

Leader of the Lib Dems in Rossendale, Councillor Catherine Pilling, added: "We recognise that this is a major promotion for Dale, and he will go far in politics. He will be missed, and we wish him all the very best."