BLACKBURN with Darwen's council leader, Sir Bill Taylor, became the biggest casualty of the local elections in East Lancashire when he was booted out of office.

After the shock result was announced at the borough's count yesterday Blackburn MP Jack Straw, who called the result a "dreadful irony", admitted his friend could have paid the price for his own foreign policy in Iraq.

Sir Bill was fighting for his political life in a ward filled with disgruntled Asian voters. Unfortunately for the council leader Audley appeared to be the area where the Government's stance in Iraq hit hardest.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "Fate can be very cruel. The Labour Party's success in Blackburn owes more to Bill than anybody and yet he's the casualty in the election.

"He's been a close friend for many years as well as a political colleague."

Speaking about the Iraqi conflict, which many believe has angered Labour voters, particularly in wards with high number of Asian voters, Mr Straw added: "It could have had an affect. There were local factors too though.

"It was a dreadful irony that it appears to have had less effect in other wards than his."

Visibly shaken by the result many of Sir Bill's Labour colleagues fought back tears. After taking stock and phoning his wife and children Sir Bill said: "It has always been my default position not to assume success.

"This morning as I was shaving I thought I could get beat and that is what happened.

"But the Labour vote held up very well."

Sir Bill was due to take his family out to dinner last night and spend this morning playing golf before making a full assessment of his disastrous defeat.

He has not ruled out standing in the Earcroft by-election called after the death of Mayor Mike Barrett, which takes place next month, but added: "There is a mix of emotions in my head and I don't want to make a snap decision."

He also claimed to be baffled by the result. "I canvassed more for this election than for any other. I spoke to more than a thousand people on their doorsteps and was not given any suggestion there were any difficulties," he added.

Councillor Colin Rigby, Conservative group leader said: "I was surprised Bill lost because he has given over 20 years of service to the town and represented us well.

"He lost on the Iraqi issue, which everyone knows, but he was also handicapped by being leader and an executive member."

This "three-cornered hat" of responsibilities, according to Coun Rigby, could have had a negative affect. He added: "It's hard to do all three and sometimes, even though you are working hard for your ward people don't see you as much as they should."

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Browne, who predicted a bad day for Labour said; "Sir Bill has gone because of what has happened in Iraq. Simple."

Sir Bill was replaced by Liberal Democrat Zamir Khan. After the result was announced coun Khan said: "Mission accomplished."