Simon Danczuk - Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith

F irst and foremost, thank you to all those who gave their time to make this book possible. We particularly appreciate the time given by the victims of Cyril Smith who co-operated with us and we also remember all those victims who suffered at his hands.

We are also especially grateful for the time and efforts made by former police officers in helping us with this book.

Obviously, there are some people who assisted us who do not wish to be named we pass on our thanks to them.

Whether by allowing us to interview them for the book or for helping bring this important story to light, we would like to say thank you to: Jason Addy; Jonathan Ali; David Bartlett; Dominic Carman; Maureen and Roy Cooper; Jonathan Corke; Father Paul Daly; Ashley Dearnley; Martin Digan; Michael English; Richard Farnell; Lord Fearn; Nick Fielding; Barry Fitton; Lorna Fitzsimons; Paul Foulston; Roy Foynes; Edmund Gartside; Jim Hancock; David Hencke; John Hessel; Simon Hoggart; Ed Howker; Lord Hoyle; Simon Hughes; Eileen Kershaw; Ibrar Khan; Liz McKean; Chris Marshall; Stephen Moore; Khandaker Abdul Musabbir; Ronald Neal; Liam ORourke; Mohammad Pasha; Steve Panter; Lyndon Price; Steve Roberts; Sue Rothwell; Derek Smith; Mike Smith; Ann Stott; Jack Tasker; John Walker; Elwyn Watkins; Tom Watson MP; Paul Waugh; and Jennifer Williams.

When it comes to assembling, editing and constructing this book we must thank Rebecca Winfield at David Luxton Associates and Hollie Teague at Biteback Publishing their comments on the manuscript were invaluable. Suzanne Sangster at Biteback must also be commended for her advice and public relations expertise.

In researching the book, we thank Rochdale Central Library; Touchstones Arts and Heritage Centre; the North West Film Archive; the London School of Economics; and the Working Class Movement Library in Salford. We also credit the Rochdale Observer for some of the photographs reproduced in this book.

Simon Danczuk would like to express his gratitude to the following: John Walker, who was one of the founders of the Rochdale Alternative Press, helped me decide on the need to write this book, his conversations and thoughts stimulated me to start the project and I am very thankful to him. Obviously, I also pay tribute to my co-author, Matt Baker. Im appreciative not just for him being the wordsmith on this project but also for his continued excellent advice and support on a whole range of matters, his dedication to Labour politics and, most of all, for his friendship.

Let me also thank Allen Brett, who is my political agent in Rochdale, my eyes and ears when Im not around. I must also put on record my thanks to Professor Roger Penn for his ideas, thoughts and encouragement over many years. The same applies to Sir Bill Taylor who has been and remains a very good friend.

Staff in my constituency and parliamentary offices have been invaluable, so thank you to Neil Emmott, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shah Ali and Tom Railton.

One of the greatest privileges is to serve as a Member of Parliament and I say thank you to the people of Rochdale for giving me the opportunity to do this. Rochdale Labour Party have also been very generous in choosing me as their candidate and for supporting me so strongly. They have also provided me with ideas and thoughts which stimulated me to produce this book.

Finally, I say thank you to my lovely wife, Karen Danczuk, for being so understanding and supportive. Not only does she assist and advise me on a daily basis but she helps create space for me to take on a project like this. Our children, Milton and Maurice, are also thanked for allowing me time off dad duties during the course of writing this book.

Matthew Baker would like to express his gratitude to the following: I was inspired to get involved in this project by the moving stories from men who had been abused by Cyril Smith when they were boys. This book is a tribute to them and an attempt to set the record straight.

Id like to thank David James Smith, Rebecca Winfield and Chris Dean for their advice and encouragement, and, above all, my wife Margaret and our children for their love and support.

That a paedophile was able to hide in Parliament is one of the most shocking elements of this story, and a reminder of how its been skilfully hidden for so long. There are far too many people to list whose efforts have allowed the real story to finally come to light but they include many local and national journalists whose tenacity deserves high praise.

Id also like to thank the kind people of Rochdale for taking the time to share their extraordinary reminiscences about Cyril. In doing this, many also spoke proudly of the towns rich history. From Cobden and Bright to the Pioneers and Gracie Fields, Rochdale has a remarkable history and its incredible that, in my lifetime, these names have been somewhat overshadowed by Cyril Smith, who became synonymous with Rochdale. Now that Cyrils fall from grace is complete, its my hope that this book can help Rochdale reclaim its true history and heritage.

S. D., M. B., March 2014