FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw stressed there was no crisis in the Labour Party grassroots after meeting five councillors angry over the impending war.

The Labour councillors from Blackburn with Darwen Council handed over a letter of protest which predicted "disastrous consequences" for the party if there was conflict without the backing of the UN.

Mr Straw said the meeting had been "constructive". It involved councillors Hussain Akhtar (Shear Brow), Faryad Hussain (Queen's Park), Salim Mulla (Queen's Park), Mohammed Hussain and Mahfooz Hussain (Bastwell).

They were among 10 councillors who signed a letter expressing "considerable dismay" over Mr Straw's stance amid threats of resignations from the Labour party.

Afterwards Coun Mulla said the meeting had not changed their opinion on the prospect of war but he didn't think resignations were imminent.

Mr Straw discussed many issues, including the Palestine and Israel situation and the "double standards" the councillors said the government was showing.

He said: "We have had a very constructive meeting and I explained I didn't want war, the same as everybody else.

"I don't believe there is a crisis in the Labour party.

"I think it's a very difficult issue for everybody including myself. It is certainly the most difficult issue I have ever dealt with.

"People feel concerned about it and upset.

"It wasn't a shock to hear the councillors views as I understand these things are very difficult issues."

Councillors have said many Asians could turn against Mr Straw at the polls.

Coun Hussain Akhtar said: "We have had a very constructive meeting. We put our point across to Jack Straw.

"We expressed our concerns that the community was not happy to go to war.

"We hope at the end of the day to stop Saddam Hussein.

"He has killed millions of Muslims whereas Jack Straw has only helped Muslims."