Simon Danczuk dismisses suggestions he is not fit to remain as an MP

 Simon Danczuk has been suspended by the Labour Party pending an investigation into his conduct. 

Simon Danczuk has dismissed suggestions he is not fit to remain as an MP, after a wave of criticism over lewd texts he sent to a teenage girl.
The 49-year-old Rochdale MP has blamed a "drink problem" for the sexually-explicit messages he sent to Sophena Houlihan when she was 17.
Speaking outside his constituency office in Rochdale, Mr Danczuk insisted that allegations by ex-partners about his behaviour and issues with alcohol are irrelevant to his role as an MP.

It is not for ex-girlfriends or ex-wives to determine who the MP for Rochdale is. It is for the residents of Rochdale to determine who the MP for Rochdale is.
I have been very clear about what issues I have addressed personally and I will continue to do so.

– Simon Danczuk

Mr Danczuk said he was planning to carry out visits in his constituency and "have a chat about it".

He has been suspended from the Labour Party while an investigation takes place into his conduct, for which he has apologised "unreservedly".