Rochdale MBC's expanded inquiry into sexual abuse by Sir Cyril Smith has been dismissed as a ‘shambles' by the local MP who helped to expose the paedophile politician.

Simon Danczuk, the current Labour MP for Rochdale, told The MJ that while he viewed Rochdale MBC's decision to ‘enlarge' a local inquiry into Sir Cyril's past activities as positive, the co-ordinating role played by the authority leaves it open to allegations that the probe will not be truly independent.

‘The whole investigation by the council is a shambles,' Danczuk said. ‘There is a risk that the council is moving from one failed investigation to another.'