Judges order election re-run

TWO judges have ordered a re-run of the election for a parliamentary seat in northern England after Labour MP Phil Woolas was ruled to have made false statements about his Liberal Democrat rival.

A specially convened court took the rare step of declaring void the result of the general election poll in Oldham East and Saddleworth after finding former immigration minister Woolas guilty of illegal practices under electoral law.

The by-election to be held will test the strength of support for the LibDems following their decision to enter coalition with the Conservatives in May. Opinion polls show their support has plunged since they entered the alliance.