Former Labour MP Phil Woolas Dies at 66

Former Labour MP Phil Woolas has died at the age of 66 after a battle with brain cancer. According to his family and close friends, he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Woolas represented Oldham East and Saddleworth in Parliament from 1997 until 2010. During this time, he held several ministerial roles, including Minister of State for Local Government, Environment, and Borders and Immigration under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's governments.

His political career ended controversially when he was banned from politics for three years after a court ruled that he had made false statements against a Liberal Democrat opponent during the 2010 election campaign. Woolas is also remembered for his confrontation with actress Joanna Lumley over the rights of Gurkhas to settle in the UK, which led to significant government concessions.

Before entering politics, Woolas was involved with various organizations and causes, including serving as president of the National Union of Students from 1984 to 1986. After leaving politics, he set up his own political lobbying firm and served as chair of the Ace Centre, a charity providing assistive technology for disabled people.

Woolas was known for his tough-talking approach to immigration policy and his efforts to combat far-right extremism in Oldham. He believed in addressing immigration issues openly and was proud of Labour's success in reducing support for the British National Party (BNP) in local elections.