By Gillian Ellison

Last updated 15:43, Wednesday, 03 December 2008

SEASCALE’S postmaster has defended his controversial politician brother.

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CONTROVERSIAL: Phil Woolas MP,

Andrew Woolas, of Seascale Post Office, is the brother of immigration minister Phil Woolas.

He said his brother – recently criticised by the Archbishop of York about his stance on immigration – will be relishing his challenging role.

The minister has sparked much controversy since taking up the post in October. He claims that many lawyers for asylum applicants undermine the system by dragging out appeals doing “more harm than good”.

“You have to have a policy that thinks about the population implication as well as the immigration implication,” said Phil recently in the national media.

As well as: “The new points-based system provides the government with levers to restrict immigration, and that is what we'll do.”

Andrew said: “It’s a debate that the country needs to have and he’s the man to make the debate happen. We probably should have had the debate years ago. It is not racist, it’s about the best interests of the country.” He added: “He will relish a good debate with the Archbishop of York.”

Originally from Burnley, Andrew and his wife Ellen came up to Seascale 10 years ago.