Election trial to make history
Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date published: 10 September 2010
OLDHAM will make history on Monday with the first election trial of its kind in almost a century.
Uppermill’s Civic Hall is set to be transformed into a courtroom as Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas defends himself against a petition from defeated Liberal Democrat candidate Elwyn Watkins.
Two senior judges, Mr Justice Griffith Williams, and Mr Justice Nigel Teare, with the Official Recorder of the House of Commons, will travel to Saddleworth for the scheduled five-day hearing without a jury.
The case is expected to attract international attention as the law has not been used in this way since 1911.
Around 25 press passes have already been distributed as media from across the country descend on the village, with strong public interest also expected.
Mr Watkins argues that election material published by Mr Woolas made false statements that could have cost him the seat, after losing by 103 votes in the May 6 election. If the judges agree with the petition it could see the Labour MP unseated and a by-election called.
The proceedings are under section 106 of the Representation of the People Act, so are not a criminal trial. Mr Woolas is therefore not being prosecuted but he could find himself barred from standing for election for three years.
The Lee Street building was chosen as the venue has to be in the constituency — ruling out the use of Oldham Civic Centre or the magistrates’ court.
The civic hall will become a court, with court rules such as contempt of court applying. Security searches will also be undertaken. The trial will unfold in the main hall, usually used for celebrations and events, with at least 100 members of the public expected to be admitted.
Public seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis from 8.30am with the trial starting at 9.30am.
Tony Marlor, Saddleworth Parish Council clerk, is responsible for managing the hall. “The building will be completely taken over by the court, which is bringing in its own security, so it will really feel like a courtroom,” he explained.
“It’s one of the biggest things I have seen in Uppermill and at the civic hall. I really don’t know what to expect.”
