Hearing set over election row

A DATE has been set for the first procedural hearing between defeated general election candidate Elwyn Watkins and Oldham MP Phil Woolas.

Both parties will be heading to the High Court in London next Wednesday for the first public hearing over allegations of false claims during the run-up to the May elections.

Liberal Democrat Mr Watkins issued an election petition because he alleges Labour’s campaign literature — published, with Mr Woolas’s consent by his agent Joe Fitzpatrick — made three false claims.

Both men are named in the petition.

On the day, solicitors for both parties will outline evidence they intend to submit during the hearing and how long it will take.

The final hearing has been scheduled for September.

Mr Woolas’s re-election for the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency followed a bad-tempered campaign and two recounts with Mr Woolas winning by 103 votes.