Woolas will not face trial

FORMER MP Phil Woolas will not be prosecuted over statements he made about an opponent during the 2010 General Election, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

An election court declared last year's Oldham East and Saddleworth contest void after finding that Labour victor Mr Woolas had made false statements about the Liberal Democrat candidate Elwyn Watkins. Mr Woolas was later dropped by the party.

Yesterday, the CPS said it had decided a prosecution would not be in the public interest.

Mr Woolas initially won the Oldham East and Saddleworth seat in May by 103 votes after two recounts.