Rochdale by-election candidate Simon Danczuk 'received death threats'

A candidate in the upcoming Rochdale by-election has received death threats from a resident, Reform UK has claimed.

In a letter to Greater Manchester Police's chief constable, the party said Simon Danczuk had received death threats in writing and in a video posted to his campaign page.

Reform UK, which posted a video on X purporting to show the threat, said it had reported the incident to police.

There are 11 candidates in the by-election on Thursday.

Reform UK tweeted a video to its X account in which a person holding what appears to be a campaign leaflet used profanities and implied they would shoot Mr Danczuk.

In a letter to Chief Constable Stephen Watson, party leader Richard Tice said the threats were "absolutely outrageous and unacceptable".

He wrote that he expected Greater Manchester Police "to take the threat seriously, and provide a proper level of security to allow the campaign to take place in an orderly manner".

He said he also expected the force to "urgently provide proper security" for Mr Danczuk and his team for the rest of the campaign, including polling day and the election count on Thursday.

Greater Manchester Police has been contacted by the BBC.

The by-election was prompted by the death of Sir Tony Lloyd in January.

All 11 candidates have provided the BBC with minute manifestos ahead of the vote.

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