Simon Danczuk seeking help for depression

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk says he is seeking help for depression and stepping back from his campaigning work on child sexual abuse. 

In an interview with Becky Milligan for BBC Radio 4's The World at One, he said he had sought help from a psychiatrist because hearing victims' accounts about sexual abuse had taken its toll on his mental health.

Mr Danczuk, who recently separated from his wife, Karen, also said it had affected his marriage: "It's not conducive to a happy relationship, is it," he said.

He said he was "getting angry at stuff I shouldn't be getting angry at, fairly mundane things" and becoming "aggressive - not violently aggressive - but getting angry about things".

Mr Danczuk, who has been Rochdale's MP since 2010, said he was "perhaps drinking a bit too much", particularly after his meetings with abuse victims.

He said Parliament offered a regular "MOT" with a doctor who had referred him to a psychiatrist.

When contacted by Rochdale Online, a spokesman for Mr Danczuk said he did not want to comment further at this time.