When Jack Straw announced his retirement last year, this newspaper was fulsome in its praise for an MP who has worked tirelessly for the borough.

Even during his most intense periods of office as Home Secretary and then Foreign Secretary, he made sure that Blackburn was never lost on his radar.

More to the point, he has been a massive influence for good in the town.

That’s why Sunday’s allegations against a politician, whose integrity has never previously been questioned, were so shocking.

Mr Straw is adamant that he has broken no rules but he is ‘mortified’ that he allowed himself to be trapped in a well-constructed sting.

He is also keen to point out that the conversation he had with the fake representatives of a fake Chinese company centred on potential activities after he steps down from Parliament.

What is now vital is that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards carries out a rigorous inquiry into the claims against Mr Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

It would be wrong to second-guess the outcome but those of us who have witnessed Mr Straw’s contribution will be hoping he is exonerated.