BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable arrived in Burnley today amid a storm over his immigration clash with the Prime Minister.

The Liberal Democrat heavyweight had earlier weighed into David Cameron, calling his speech ‘very unwise’, and saying the terms used ‘risked inflaming extremism’.

Mr Cable refused to comment on the row when he arrived at Rourkes ironsmith on Accrington Road this morning, moments after his comments hit the airwaves.

But following a tour around the manufacturer’s premises, he told managing director Brian Rourke that he had a ‘very good working relationship’ with Mr Cameron.

“I’m not going to go there”, he said when asked about the Prime Minister’s speech.

Mr Cable praised the ‘brilliant’ business, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and employs 54 people, and insisted East Lancashire’s manufacturing sector could pave the way for economic recovery.

And he insisted the Lib Dems had a fighting chance in next month’s local elections.

He said: “I think our councillors have done well at a local level particularly this one, and have avoided the sorts of cuts seen in Labour-run councils.”

He was accompanied on the tour by Burnley council leader Charlie Briggs and MP Gordon Birtwistle.

Mr Birtwistle said: “The Conservatives probably don’t think immigrants have contributed as much to the economy as we do.”

Mr Rourke used Mr Cable’s visit to highlight the amount of red tape and paperwork faced by business leaders.

He said: “We are so overwhelmed by red tape that it’s become nonsensical.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg was due to visit the same location last month but had to postpone his East Lancashire tour at the last minute when the Libyan crisis erupted and he was recalled to Parliament.

Bacup-born Brian Rourke established the ironworks specialist in 1961, in a shed on Deerplay Moor.

The firm had bases in Blakey Street and Church Street before settling on the Vulcan Works near Rosegrove station.