“Bigot” woman opens Rochdale Labour office

The Rochdale grandmother at the centre of Gordon Brown's “bigotgate” election disaster has made another foray into politics - in support of his party.

Gillian Duffy, who the former Prime Minister branded a “bigoted woman”, was guest of honour at the official opening of the Rochdale constituency office of new MP Simon Danczuk.

The plain-speaking life-long Labour voter was credited with being a major, if inadvertent, reason for the downfall of Mr Brown.

Mrs Duffy had only popped to the shops for a loaf of bread when she came across the PM, tackled him on immigration - and moments later he forgot to turn off his microphone.

Amongst a media frenzy, a crestfallen Mr Brown was shown, head in hands, as the gaffe was repeated to him on a radio show.

Within hours the "mortified" PM made a damage-limitation personal apology back at her home - accompanied by the media.

Mrs Duffy shared a finger buffet and drinks with a smattering of local Labour supporters as guest of honour at the official opening.

The 66-year-old said: "I never wanted to hurt the Labour Party at all. I wanted them to get in at the last election.

"I felt very sorry for Gordon Brown, because he had everything to lose. He's been in politics a very, very long time, it's his life."