“Karen Danczuk should face disciplinary action”, says Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes

Liz McInnes MP

Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes has said that Karen Danczuk should face disciplinary action after a spat broke out between them on Twitter – in which Karen asked her if she was “drunk” and said it’s about time there was an “MP who is passionate and cares”.

Karen, who currently works for Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, posted that she would like to become the MP for the constituency where Liz McInnes is currently elected – but got the name wrong, calling it “Middleton & Heywood.”

When the existing MP pointed out her mistake, Karen responded asking her whether or not she was “drunk” before posting that it is about time the constituency had an “MP who cares”.

The quarrel resulted in a lot of negative feedback for Karen for getting the name wrong and also for being rude to the MP.

Liz McInnes has subsequently said that if it had been a member of her own staff, she would see it as a disciplinary issue.

She added: “I was mulling over it because I am not the type of person to get into a ping pong match with anyone, it is not my style at all, but if you can’t even be bothered to get the name of the constituency right then I can’t see you managing to stand for MP.

“I know she is working for Simon (Danczuk) and is involved over there, but I have to say that if one of my staff behaved like that on social media they would be explaining to me why they think they should keep their job. I merely corrected her on her mistake, a mistake which you shouldn’t be making if you have plans on becoming an MP.”

She added: “I have been quite supportive of Karen in the past, and I have been tolerant of her when others haven’t been, but this really did take me by surprise. If it was my employee I would be seriously considering disciplinary action.”

Councillor Chris Furlong, Heywood & Middleton Constituency Labour Party (CLP) Membership, Recruitment & Campaigns Officer, said: "Liz is an extremely hard working and popular MP for Heywood & Middleton.

"The CLP is proud that Liz significantly increased her majority at the General Election, bucking the national trend, and we have no doubt she will increase it again next time as Liz is a fantastic ambassador for our area.

"However, it comes as no surprise that yet again a member of 'Team Danczuk' is attacking the Labour Party."

Simon Danczuk’s office has been contacted for a comment.