Duffy talks to Brown, in one of the most important moments of the election campaign

‘Bigot’ Duffy forgives Brown and returns to Labour fold

‘Bigot’ Duffy forgives Brown and returns to Labour fold

By politics.co.uk staff

The woman who dismantled Gordon Brown’s chances of being re-elected prime minister has returned to the Labour fold.

Gillian Duffy, who was branded a “bigot” by the prime minister following a debate on immigration, was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Rochdale constituency office of Simon Danczuk, the new Labour MP for the town.

The pensioner became the focus of the world’s media when Mr Brown travelled to her home to apologise in person, in a spectacularly frenzied and chaotic day on the campaign trail.

“I never wanted to hurt the Labour party at all. I wanted them to get in at the last election,” Ms Duffy said.

“I felt very sorry for Gordon Brown, because he had everything to lose. He’s been in politics a very, very long time, it’s his life.”

Ms Duffy said she is backing David Miliband to become Labour leader.