Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has been cleared of an alleged breach of election law after a rival candidate reported him to police.

The Blackburn MP was accused by Craig Murray, who stood as an independent in May's election, of breaking the rule that candidates should not offer food, drink or other hospitality to win votes.

Mr Straw was the main guest at an event organised by Muslims for Labour at the Jan's Conference Centre, Higher Audley Street, Blackburn, in which those present were given a curry.

Police launched a probe following Mr Murray's complaint over the alleged offence known as 'treating' under electoral law and have now received the advice back from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Solicitors said the incident was not serious enough to prosecute as curries are regularly offered at events in the conference centre.

As a result, Detective Inspector Simon Giles, of Blackburn CID, said police would take no further action.

Mr Straw's election agent, Sir Bill Taylor, said: "This comes as no surprise because it is what we said in the first place.

"The event was one we attended but did not organise. Similar events were held for all the parties and it has just been a waste of police time."

Mr Murray, who has since left Blackburn, said: "This decision does not surprise me and I think it would have been wholly different if it had been the other way round.

"To me, this incident suggests the whole rule of treating is now redundant. I am disappointed by this."

Mr Straw said, "This was a daft case which never had any substance. I am glad it has been resolved but I knew I had not done anything wrong."