Phil Woolas death: New Labour era minister who served under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown dies aged 66, family announce

Former Labor Minister and MP Phil Woolas has died at the age of 66, his family and close friends announced.

Woolas, who died in the early hours of Saturday, served as a minister in both the Blair and Brown governments between 1997 and 2010, and as an MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth.

In the statement announcing his death attributed to his family and close friends, it was stated that he had been fighting dandruff cancer for more than a year.

“Former Labor MP and minister Phil Woolas has died at the age of 66,” the statement said.

“He battled glioblastoma, a brain cancer, for more than a year. He leaves behind his wife Tracey, sons Josh and Jed, his new grandson, and many friends and former colleagues who will miss him greatly.

“Before entering Parliament, Phil was NUS president, TV producer and GMB union communications director.

“He was MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth from 1997 to 2010 and served as a minister in both the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown governments, appointed successively as whip, deputy speaker of the House of Commons, local government minister, environment minister and immigration minister.”

A statement from friends and family added: “Phil founded and ran his own political and risk consultancy from 2011.

“For over 25 years Phil chaired The Ace Centre, a charity helping people with communication difficulties in Oldham, leading it to become a national charity leader in assistive technologies for people with severe disabilities.”

This is breaking news. More to follow…