Former Oldham MP Phil Woolas dies aged 66 after brain cancer battle
Phil Woolas, former Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has died at age 66 after battling glioblastoma brain cancer. Woolas served as MP from 1997 to 2010 and held ministerial positions in both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's governments, including roles as whip, deputy leader of the Commons, local government minister, environment minister, and immigration minister. Before his parliamentary career, he served as NUS president, TV producer, and GMB union communications director. Woolas was confronted by actress Joanna Lumley during a live press conference while serving as immigration minister. He later established a political and risk consultancy and chaired The Ace Centre, an Oldham charity supporting people with communication difficulties, for over 25 years. He is survived by his wife Tracey, sons Josh and Jed, and a new grandson.