Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who was suspended by Labour for sending explicit texts, has been banned from standing for the party in the General Election.

The controversial MP was told by party officials that he would not be endorsed as a candidate for the Lancashire seat, which he has held since winning it from the Liberal Democrats in 2010.

Mr Danczuk was suspended from the Labour Party in 2015, pending an investigation, after The Sun reported that he had sent explicit messages to a 17-year-old girl.

(Nick Ansell/PA)

A Labour party spokesperson said: “After considering the case of Simon Danczuk in detail and speaking to him in an interview, the Labour Party’s NEC endorsement panel today unanimously recommended that he should not be endorsed as a Labour candidate.

“He will not be able to stand as a Labour candidate in any constituency at the General Election.”

His estranged wife Karen failed in her bid to be selected as a Labour candidate for Bury North in the upcoming election.