CHURCH leaders have hit out at Blackburn MP Jack Straw for doubting the credibility of an asylum seeker.

Blackburn Cathedral has launched a campaign for Zakariah Isingoma to be allowed to stay in the UK.

Mr Isingoma, who was sent to the town by immigration officials in January 2008, claims he will be charged with treason, a crime which carries a death penalty, if returned to Uganda.

He has found refuge at the Cathedral where he works as a volunteer in the cafe with other asylum seekers. Mr Isingoma has appealed.

But Mr Straw, who has reviewed the case, has previously said there were 'very serious doubts about his credibility'.

In a joint statement, the Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, Canon Chris Chivers, Canon Sue Penfold, Canon Michael Wedgeworth and other Cathedral members criticised his stance.

They said: “We respect Jack Straw as a vastly experienced politician, a devoted constituency MP and a good friend of the Cathedral. But he is not always right.

“Those of us who have spent many hours with our asylum-seeking friend Zak and have closely studied what the judge in his case had to say are convinced that Zak’s obvious honesty, morality and consistency make his account entirely credible.

“We ask ourselves one question above all: if Zak’s life really is not at risk, why would he, a mature, intelligent and gifted person, who misses his family and the culture of his native land, be so terrified of deportation?”

Mr Straw said “These cases are put before judges and they make an informed and balanced opinion.

“I can see no grounds as to how he can remain in this country.”