CLARETS fan and Prime Minister's official spokesman Alastair Campbell has ruled out ever becoming MP for Burnley.

He told a lunch of political journalists at Westminster that his denials of wanting to take over the seat would apply even when Peter Pike gives up.

Mr Campbell has been dogged by rumours that he wanted to become the local MP since becoming Tony Blair's mouthpiece.

But yesterday was the first time he has ruled out becoming Burnley's MP at any time in the future.

Questioned by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph whether he had any long term ambition to represent the safe Labour seat Mr Campbell said: "I am very happy for you to write that Alastair Campbell definitively ruled out ever being MP for Burnley or anywhere else in thse country."

Keighley-born Mr Campbell, 44, conceived a love of Burnley as the nearest major club when a child.