On Air Now

The Sean Show

10:00am - Noon

Now Playing

Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

I’ve Had The Time Of My Life

Man pleads guilty to sending ‘online threat’ to ex-Rochdale MP

Simon Danczuk, the former MP for Rochdale

A man has pleaded guilty to sending an ‘online threat’ to Simon Danczuk a former MP for Rochdale.

Zaffar Hussain, of Kellett Street in Rochdale, pleaded guilty to sending the ‘threat’ to Simon Danczuk, the former MP for Rochdale, at Wigan Magistrates’ Court on December 17. Hussain, 25, admitted one count of ‘sending by electronic communication on a network grossly offensive or indecent or obscene or menacing messages on February 26, 2024’.

Hussain was arrested a day later by Greater Manchester Police. At the time, Mr Danczuk was standing for Reform UK in the Rochdale by-election, which was held on February 29, 2024 following the death of Labour MP Tony Lloyd. 

After Hussain pleaded guilty, Mr Danczuk said: “[The threat] caused me and my family a lot of distress and significantly disrupted our election campaign. My wife, Coco, had to move back to London for her safety, Reform UK allocated two full-time security personnel to our campaign, the campaign team had to move from their accommodation, and we had to restrict where we went and who we met.

“I’d like to thank Greater Manchester Police for helping to bring this successful prosecution and Richard Tice MP, who as Reform UK leader at the time did an excellent job in ensuring mine and our team’s safety was the priority.”

The election was won by George Galloway, standing for the Workers Party, but he only represented the Greater Manchester town for several months, when Paul Waugh re-captured the seat for Labour at the general election on July 4 that year.

Hussain is next due to appear in court at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on February 25, 2026. 

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • The Sean Show

    10:00am - Noon

    Sean Cummiskey brings you the The Sensational Spectacular Sctillating Supersonic Sean Show! Or for ease The Sean Show! Top music and musings with “Great Number 2’s” and the home of tenuous links to songs from the news and “on this day!”.

  • Phil Salter

    Noon - 2:00pm

  • The Mood Swing Shift

    2:00pm - 3:00pm

    with Jainy Smith , straight-talking perimenopause & menopause chat... The stuff we actually go through (no fluff, no shame, no whispering)

  • Tuesday Drivetime

    3:00pm - 6:00pm

    getting you home on your favourite Drivetime station.

  • Trending Tuesdays

    6:00pm - 7:00pm

    with Charlotte and Lauren

  • Grumpy Grandad and Harry

    7:00pm - 8:00pm

    with David Thomas and Harry bringing you all the fun and music being TikTok famous.