Lib Dem spin doctor Dave Hennigan thrown out of party

David Hennigan

Liberal Democrat spin doctor Dave Hennigan, who worked for local Lib Dem leader Andy Kelly until this summer and previously for former Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, has been kicked out of the Lib Dem party.

Mr Hennigan left Rochdale in the summer to go and work for Nottinghamshire councillor Jason Zadrozny.

Mr Zadrozny, a councillor on Ashfield District and Nottinghamshire County councils, was suspended from the Lib Dems, and became an independent, after being charged with child sex offences - subsequently thrown out in court.

Mr Hennigan began work for Mr Zadrozny as a political assistant, and subsequently campaigned for the victorious independent candidate, against the Lib Dems, in a local by-election, which led to him being thrown out of the Lib Dem Party.

Asked to comment, Mr Hennigan said: "I remain absolutely loyal to Councillor Andy Kelly and the Liberal Democrats' fight for a better Rochdale.

"I had to resign because a complaint was made that I campaigned against an official Liberal Democrat Candidate in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. It is probably a bit petty as the Lib Dems got 46 votes and the Ashfield Independents won, in a Labour/Conservative marginal, by 700. A clear 1,400 votes ahead of the Liberal Democrats.

"I will continue to fight for a better deal for Rochdale. I will continue to work with people like councillors Andy Kelly and Irene Davidson, the brilliant Robert McLean from Healey, David Clayton from Kingsway, Eleanor Kelly from Smallbridge and Firgrove and Zoe Renshaw from Littleborough Lakeside.

"It is my view that only the Liberal Democrats stick up for Rochdale - a place I love.

"Being out of the Liberal Democrats full time allows me to pick and choose who I support. I can think of no better team to represent the Borough of Rochdale. I will be there - knocking on doors next year - even if I do not carry a Lib Dem card."

Leader of the Lib Dems locally, Councillor Andy Kelly, is sympathetic to Mr Hennigan and is hoping the party will reconsider.

He said: "It is really unfortunate. It would be nice, given the unusual circumstances, to think the party could look at it again. I do understand why he was suspended but it is a loss to the Lib Dems if Dave is not a member."