Smile for the Camera: the double life of Cyril Smith named Sunday Times politics book of the year

Smile For The Camera - The double life of Cyril Smith

Smile for the Camera: the double life of Cyril Smith, the book written by Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk and his parliamentary aide Matt Baker, has been named Sunday Times politics book of the year.

The book exposed in detail the double life of Cyril Smith, his abuse of power and his sexual exploitation of young boys.

Reacting to the news, Mr Baker said he is "really pleased".

Commenting on his decision to write the book, Simon Danczuk said: “Like many politicians I believe you have to learn lessons from history in order to avoid making the same mistakes twice – and Cyril Smith’s time in politics needs to be properly understood. The period in which he rose to become a towering figure in politics was a fascinating and important time, and even today over 20-years since he retired from politics and more than three years since he passed away, Cyril Smith casts a long political shadow over our town. His style of doing politics was like no-one else before or after, but the real story of what he got up to and how he controlled our town has never been told. The truth behind this dark period of British politics has always been hidden and it needs to be heard.”

The book is also in The Telegraph Christmas Books 2014 'best politics books to read'.