Phil Woolas

Philip James Woolas (born 11 December 1959) is a British environmental consultant, political lobbyist and disgraced former politician. He was the Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for Oldham East and Saddleworth from his election in 1997 to 2010. He was the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration in the Home Office, as well as being the Minister of State for the Treasury. On 5 November 2010, he was found to have breached the Representation of the People Act 1983 in the course of the 2010 general election. As a result, his victory at the 2010 general election campaign was declared void, he lost his seat in the House of Commons, and was barred from standing again for three years. Woolas was also suspended from the Labour party.

Woolas' previous positions include heading the National Union of Students, working as a producer for BBC Newsnight and a role at the GMB trade union

Early life

Woolas was born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, on 11 December 1959. He went to Nelson Grammar School and, after O levels, Nelson and Colne College. He received a BA in Philosophy from the Victoria University of Manchester.