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Election court sits over Phil Woolas result in Oldham Phil Woolas campaign 'sought to make white folk angry'
(about 1 hour later)
A defeated Liberal Democrat candidate is mounting a legal challenge to the re-election of former immigration minister Phil Woolas as an MP. Ex-immigration minister Phil Woolas set out to "make the white folk angry" in his election campaign, a specially-convened court heard.
Elwyn Watkins is asking two High Court judges to order a re-run of May's Oldham East and Saddleworth poll. His defeated Lib Dem rival, Elwyn Watkins, is challenging his re-election as Oldham East and Saddleworth MP.
He claims the general election vote was swayed by Labour leaflets containing false claims about foreign donations and support from Muslim extremists. Mr Watkins claims the vote was swayed by Labour leaflets containing false claims about foreign donations and support from Muslim extremists.
Mr Woolas, who won with a majority of just 103 votes, denies the allegations.Mr Woolas, who won with a majority of just 103 votes, denies the allegations.
He says he will "robustly defend" himself.He says he will "robustly defend" himself.
The case has been brought under the rarely-used section 106 of the Representation of the People Act (1983). The court heard on Monday that Labour MP Mr Woolas and his team set out to "galvanise the white Sun vote" by suggesting there was a campaign by Muslims to "take Phil out" in a high-risk election strategy.
Two High Court judges will rule on whether there should be a re-run of the Oldham East election, in a case brought under the rarely-used section 106 of the Representation of the People Act (1983).
Under the act, anyone involved in an election who "makes or publishes any false statement of fact in relation to the candidate's personal character or conduct" is guilty of an illegal practice - unless they can show "reasonable grounds for believing, and did believe, that statement to be true".Under the act, anyone involved in an election who "makes or publishes any false statement of fact in relation to the candidate's personal character or conduct" is guilty of an illegal practice - unless they can show "reasonable grounds for believing, and did believe, that statement to be true".
Saddleworth Civic Hall, where Parish Council meetings are often held, is temporarily becoming an election court - in the first case of its kind in 99 years - for the hearing. Saddleworth Civic Hall, where Parish Council meetings are often held, is temporarily becoming an election court - in the first case of its kind in 99 years - for the hearing, which is scheduled to last five days.
Legally, the onus is on Mr Watkins to prove his case if he is to win.Legally, the onus is on Mr Watkins to prove his case if he is to win.
If found guilty, Mr Woolas could be fined and barred from public office, with a fresh election triggered.If found guilty, Mr Woolas could be fined and barred from public office, with a fresh election triggered.