A BITTER political row has broken out over a decision to leave much of East Lancashire out of vital Euro cash funding.

Most of the area was left out in the cold when it was formally announced at Christmas that it would not be covered by Objective 2 status, which brings with it millions of pounds of European money.

Today, Azhar Ali, leader of the Labour group on Pendle Council, which led the fight to try and change bureaucrats' minds over the controversial decision, blamed the Liberal Democrats, and particularly their MEP Chris Davies, for diluting the area's case to retain the status.

"Pendle Council's strategic approach to this issue was to collect and present data to support the case for reducing some rural coverage and replacing it with industrial areas within Pendle," he said.

"This line was supported by the North West Regional Assembly and individual authorities along with local MEPs. However, Pendle's case was weakened and diluted by the LibDem MEP, who was arguing for additional rural coverage. "This clearly meant that instead of everyone being united in the North West behind Pendle's strong case, we lost out."

But Mr Davies said Coun Ali's remarks were 'shameful.'

"This was a Labour Government decision and however Councillor Ali might squirm, it's the Labour Government that has stabbed Pendle in the back," he added.

"His arguments are spurious, especially in view of the all-party representations made to the British Government and the European Commission."

Mr Davies said he met with Pendle Council chief executive Stephen Barnes, Government Minister Stephen Byers, Government Office North West and the European Commission to press East Lancashire's case to be included under Objective 2 but his pleas "fell on deaf ears."

Blackburn with Darwen and Ribble Valley authorities were the only areas to be included under Objective 2.

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