TONY Blair has denied the Iraq war and the row on anti-terrorist laws could cost Jack Straw his Blackburn seat.

The Prime Minister stepped in to back one of his key cabinet allies after suggestions, both locally and nationally, that Mr Straw's seat is no longer considered a safe bet by Labour.

Its high Asian population is thought to be giving party masters sleepless nights --because they are still unhappy at Labour taking Britain to war with Iraq.

But Mr Blair told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "I don't think that is the case at all.

"Jack Straw is held in high regard by the Muslim community and in high regard in Blackburn.

"I don't think that he is losing respect or support among his community.

"I don't think that the Muslim community is against strong laws against terrorism. I think they are in favour of them.

"I know about the respect Jack is held in from my visits to Blackburn.

"One of the things that strikes me when I meet people from the Muslim community is their attitude to terrorism.

"How often they tell me that they don't like to see Islam, which is a moderate religion, hijacked by extremists.

"The Muslim community wants to see action against terrorism like other people."

And he said the main interests of Muslim voters were the economy, mortgage and interest rates, high employment and public services.

Mr Straw said: "I'm always pleased to have the backing of the Prime Minister.

"I think it's patronising to say the Asian population will always vote the same way.

"Like everyone else, they vote according to their convictions.

"I have always tried to work very hard for all the people in Blackburn, including the Asian and Muslim community.

"People will give their verdict at the general election.''