Phil retains his place in Miliband team

Phil Woolas has kept his job as shadow immigration minister in Ed Miliband’s new-look team.

The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP was immigration minister from 2006 until Labour lost the general election in May this year, when he took on the shadow role.

The arrival of a new party leader threw all positions into doubt as he sought to create a new shadow team.

But Mr Woolas has kept his role in the shadow Home Office team, headed by shadow home secretary Ed Balls.

He said: “I am delighted that Ed Miliband has endorsed the policy that we developed in the last two years. This shows the Labour party is continuing its common-sense approach to immigration.

“I am aware this is a highly controversial job but it is one that needs doing.”

Mr Woolas is still awaiting the decision of an election court after a legal challenge to the general election result by Liberal Democrat candidate Elwyn Watkins. Mr Watkins took Labour rival Phil Woolas to an historic election court after losing the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat in May’s general election by just 103 votes.

The decision is expected to be announced on November 5.