BBC Radio 4 LW

The Report

Factual

Original insights into major news stories and topical investigations

The current affairs series combining original insights into major news stories with topical investigations

The Report: Phil Woolas Loses his Seat

Phil Woolas Loses his Seat

09/12/2010

BBC Radio 4 - The Report, Phil Woolas Loses his Seat

Simon Cox assesses the implications of the Phil Woolas case.

Simon Cox assesses the implications of the ruling that stripped former Immigration Minister and Labour MP Phil Woolas of his Oldham East and Saddleworth seat.

In the first ruling of its kind for 99 years, the former Immigration Minister and Labour MP, Phil Woolas was last month stripped of his Oldham East and Saddleworth seat. He was found guilty by a special election court of having knowingly lied about his Liberal Democrat opponent, Elwyn Watkins. Mr Woolas has also been accused of exploiting racial tensions in an area which saw riots in the run up to the General Election in 2001. The Report investigates what really went on during the campaign and looks at the role of the politics of race in this most tightly fought of contests.

And reporter Simon Cox asks how unique the circumstances of the Oldham East election were. Phil Woolas was found guilty of making claims about his opponent's personal character or conduct that he knew to be untrue. But candidates can use many other tricks to deceive voters that are within the rules. The Report asks whether the law that was used to strip the former Oldham East MP of his seat has kept up with the reality of modern electioneering.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Report

Phil Woolas Loses his Seat

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4