Date Set for Challenge to Oldham East & Saddleworth Election Result

4.24.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jul 2010

A date has been set for the hearing in which Liberal Democrat Elwyn Watkins will challenge the result of the election in Oldham East & Saddleworth, where Phil Woolas won by just 103 votes.

The election court will be convened in Oldham on September 13th for five days, so that the court can resolve the challenge before Parliament reassembles.

Elwyn Watkins is challenging the result using Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act (1983), which makes it an offence to make "any false statement of fact in relation to the candidate's personal character or conduct."

It is the contention of Mr Watkins' petition that Labour literature circulated within the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency, specifically 'The Examiner' newspaper, an edition of the 'Labour Rose', and a full-colour 'Election Communication' leaflet, contained numerous misleading and erroneous claims regarding Mr Watkins' personal character and reputation, and that of his campaign.

Elwyn said, "I am bringing this case as a matter of principle - I believe that politics should be based on honest campaigning."