Phil Woolas, a former Labour minister who represented Oldham East and Saddleworth from 1997 to 2010, has died from brain cancer at the age of 66. Woolas served under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, holding several ministerial posts, including immigration minister.
Notable TV Confrontation Over Gurkha Rights
Woolas is widely remembered for a televised confrontation in 2009 with actress Joanna Lumley, who led the campaign opposing his government’s proposal to restrict settlement rights for retired Gurkhas in the UK. At the time, Woolas was a combative Home Office immigration minister defending the government’s stance. The dispute culminated in a chaotic joint news conference broadcast live, where Lumley appeared to secure Woolas’s agreement to reconsider legal guidelines drafted by Gurkha lawyers.
End of Parliamentary Career and Election Court Ruling
Woolas’s political career ended amidst controversy after he was found guilty by an election court in 2010 of making false statements against his Liberal Democrat opponent, Elwyn Watkins, during the general election. The court, the first of its kind in 99 years, ordered a re-run of the election. Subsequently, Woolas was suspended from the Labour Party. The case marked the first instance in nearly a century where a sitting MP lost their seat due to court action on election law violations.
Political Legacy and Personal Life
Before entering Parliament, Woolas was president of the National Union of Students from 1984 to 1986 and worked as a TV producer and union communications head. After leaving Parliament, he co-founded a lobbying firm with former MPs from across political parties. Tributes from former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted Woolas’s political dedication, his impact on New Labour, and his personable nature. He is survived by his wife Tracey Jane Allen, two sons, and a recently born grandchild.
For more stories on this topic, visit our category page.