Reform UK’s Rochdale by-election candidate revealed he has been forced to go to the police after receiving a death threat.
Simon Danczuk said he received a message from someone on Facebook Messenger this afternoon saying they would “put one in his head”.
The ex-Labour MP for Rochdale, who has reported the threat to Greater Manchester Police, said he was “very shaken” and warned of the “chilling effect” on democracy.
He told the Express: “It causes me anxiety and distress, I worry for my family and for my wife.
“It’s been quite an enjoyable by-election campaign up to now. People have been generally cheerful, sometimes there are some robust exchanges, but it’s been generally enjoyable.
“But this has caused some anxiety really. It’s a chilling effect on democracy isn’t it, it discourages you from engaging with the public.”
The video sent to Mr Danczuk shows someone holding one of his campaign leaflets which reads: “Vote for Rochdale, not Gaza.”
They say: “Have you seen this m************ s***, this bald white devil b******.
“If you guys ever see this bald m*********** I’m going to f****** put one in his head.”
In a letter to Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson, Reform UK leader Richard Tice said the election campaign has been “bedevilled by threats and intimidation”.
Mr Tice said: “I expect that 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.”
The Rochdale by-election has been marred by chaos with Labour cutting ties with its candidate in an antisemitism row.
Political firebrand George Galloway, who is standing for the Workers Party of Britain, is the favourite to win in the ballot this Thursday.
Greater Manchester Police were contacted for comment.
