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DANCZUK COVER-UP

Karen puts injured chest under wraps as she heads off to tell court to free MP hubby

Having spent two nights in a cell, Simon Danczuk was released after wife Karen refused to press 'assault' charges

DISGRACED Labour MP Simon Danczuk was hauled to a domestic violence court yesterday but then saved by the estranged wife he was accused of assaulting.

Karen, 33, who arrived at court in Spain covering up a chest injury, told officials she did not want to press charges.

Karen Danczuk
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Karen Danczuk covered up her injured chest as she visited the Spanish court to drop charges against MP husband SimonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

It is understood her decision forced prosecutors to drop the case after legal discussions.

The couple came face-to-face in the Alicante court building for the first time since his arrest on Sunday.

A witness said: “The fact she was there suggests she did not want him in any trouble.”

MP Simon Danczuk was sobering up in a Spanish prison last night
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MP Simon Danczuk was lead away to a Spanish prison, while wife Karen was taken to hospital after bust-up

The Rochdale MP, 49, spent two nights in the cells. Danczuk, suspended by Labour after sending sex texts to a girl of 17, is said to have rowed with Karen at their Alicante home after accusing her of sleeping with another man.

The Sun told yesterday she had treatment for a cut on her chest.

An official confirmed the domestic violence court abandoned the case because she had refused to ratify her police statement.

Simon Danczuk
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Simon Danczuk spent two nights in a cell but was released after Karen decided against pressing chargesCredit: Jamie Lorriman

A source close to the MP said he was not brought before a judge, adding: “The police in Spain, quite rightly, are very strict on matters involving domestic violence.

“If there was any evidence at all that Simon had assaulted Karen, he would have immediately faced charges.

"The fact he will not face charges shows this has been blown out of all proportion.”

But Lib Dems in Danczuk’s constituency yesterday called for him to resign as MP.

Andy Kelly said: “Everybody knows he is not fit to be our MP.”

The Spanish home of Karen and Simon Danczk
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The Spanish home of Karen and Simon DanczukCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

HE'D FACE COURT HERE

SIMON Danczuk could have still been charged if he had been arrested in the UK, even if Karen refused to give evidence against him.

Crown Prosecution Service guidance says cases can continue even without an alleged victim’s co-operation ­ if the evidence is deemed strong enough and the alleged crime is sufficiently serious.

In domestic cases, that would probably mean that the level of violence was considered significant or children were involved.

But under Spanish laws, an alleged victim’s evidence is the key factor — so if they do not co-operate the case is usually dropped.

The only exception is in cases involving statements from multiple witnesses.

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