Joe’s search for answers goes national

SEARCHING for answers . . . Joe Fitzpatrick

Former Labour agent and Oldham councillor Joe Fitzpatrick plans to take legal action against his party after he was turned down as a candidate for May’s local elections.

His solicitor is calling on the party to reveal all the emails sent which include references to Mr Fitzpatrick, under the Freedom of Information Act.

The former agent to disgraced Labour MP Phil Woolas had to appear before party officials to defend claims that he had damaged the party.

And the officials have ruled that Mr Fitzpatrick cannot be on the panel of choices for Labour candidate in Waterhead where he was hoping to stand.

His appeal was turned down last week. It was heard by Ann Black, the chairman of the party’s national disputes panel, with two North-West board members.

It followed the historic election court last year when two High Court judges found Mr Woolas had lied about his Liberal Democrat opponent, Elwyn Watkins.

And Mr Fitzpatrick, who was the Labour election agent, gave evidence at court denying that he had done anything wrong in publishing leaflets and a newspaper on behalf of Mr Woolas attacking Mr Watkins.

The appeal panel said Mr Fitzpatrick’s comments about needing to “get the white folk angry” and the publicity around the case could damage the party.

He said: “I’ve now had a letter from the party which says I might be an embarrassment because of the court case.

“We have sent a letter off to the national party asking for all emails on the Labour party site which mention me.

“I have asked the North-West party and been ignored. I am hoping to find who said I would be an embarrassment.”

Mr Fitzpatrick, who is still a member of the Labour party, says he is taking a sabbatical from all ward, constituency and delegate roles while he considers legal action, and has not applied for any other roles.