Labour Mayor of Rochdale apologises for saying she would have rigged by-election result

The Labour Mayor of Rochdale has apologised for saying that she would have declared Labour the winner of the Middleton & Heywood by-election regardless of the actual result.

Cllr Carol Wardle was recorded saying "it would have been that result whatever it said" and the clip was uploaded to YouTube. She has apologised, describing it as "an unfortunate mistake".

This was an unfortunate mistake by me and I wholeheartedly apologise for any concern caused. My only role in the whole proceedings was a ceremonial one, to formally announce the result by reading the declaration.