A MERSEY MP has started a 'fighting fund' for shamed Labour MP Phil Woolas – and collected £1,500 from colleagues in 24 hours.
George Howarth, the Knowsley MP, said the Oldham East MP – who was ejected from parliament last week for lying about his election opponent – needed help to "clear his name".
The former minister revealed he had set up a bank account to contribute towards Mr Woolas' estimated £100,000 legal fees, if he succeeds in taking the controversy to a judicial review.
A letter to Labour MPs urges them to contribute.
Mr Howarth said:
"There are two important principles at stake here – the good name of Phil Woolas, who many in the party hold in very high regard, and, secondly, the legal principle that it should be the electorate who decides who is their MP, not a judge."
The staunch backing came after the court ruling which ordered a re-run of the Oldham East election and barred Mr Woolas from office for three years.
But the fresh election will not go ahead before a hearing to decide whether Mr Woolas can seek a judicial review.
