LABOUR has lost overall control of Blackburn with Darwen Council for the first time in 21 years after the shock resignation of six councillors.

The six are believed to have quit the Labour group after a row over the re-selection of councillors to serve on the ruling executive committee.

Mahfooz Hussain, who lost his position as executive member for education, Yusuf Jan-Virmani (Audley), Faryad Hussain (Queen's Park), Salim Mulla (Queen's Park), Parwaiz Akhtar (Bastwell) and Iftakhar Hussain (Bastwell) are now calling themselves independent councillors.

Coun Hussain, who represents Bastwell, and the other five Muslim councillors said they were being made scapegoats for the loss of former council leader Sir Bill Taylor, who was ousted from a ward filled with Asian voters.

But today the six were slammed by Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson for walking out so soon after last week's election. She said: "These councillors should be ashamed. They aren't fit for elected office."

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "I still hope there can be a reconciliation. I think it is very sad all round."

Asked about claims that Sir Bill losing his seat was the cause of the problems, Mr Straw added: "I cannot comment on internal matters."

The council is now in limbo until the issue of who is in control is resolved, with committees or portfolio holders unable to be selected.

It is understood the six have already approached Tory leader Colin Rigby and Lib Dem leader Paul Browne about a switch to their parties to form a controlling alliance.

It is unclear whether Coun Rigby and Coun Browne will want to work with them as they could form an administration without their help.

But two seats up for grabs in an election in Darwen's Earcroft ward next month could even up the seats held by Labour and the two opposing parties.

Neither leader would comment on the prospects of joining forces today.

Labour insiders pointed to the fact that two Darwen secondary schools were taken into special measures in the last year and the fact that Coun Mahfooz Hussain was involved in an incident with rival canvassers in the run up to the elections for him losing his portfolio.

The bombshell resignations mean that the Labour party, which won 33 seats last week, now has only 27, while Conservative (17) and Liberal Democrats (12) have a combined total of 29. Labour took overall control of the authority from the Liberal/SDP in 1983.

It also means that 6,442 people who voted for a Labour councillor last week now have independent members at the town hall.

The resignations mean councillor Kate Hollern's tenure as new leader could be a brief one. She said: "We had our annual general meeting and a number of members were unhappy with the recommendations for executive positions within the group.

"As a result six left the meeting and indicated they were considering their positions as Labour councillors."

Sir Bill Taylor said: "I am certainly not responsible for any of this.

"However, the Labour group has always chosen its best team based on track record, experience and availability.

"Only last night I was invited to and visited a number of Asian residents in Audley who were profusely apologetic and concerned about what happened last week."

Conservative group leader councillor Colin Rigby said: "I am surprised that the six have resigned, particularly Mahfooz Hussain who held a major portfolio position within the executive board.

"He hasn't done a very good job and the Labour group should have controlled the situation before now. They have never really exerted any discipline and this has been coming for some time."

Coun Paul Browne, Lib Dem leader, refused to comment fully before a meeting of his councillors but said: "I am excited at the prospect of getting Labour out because for too long the people in Darwen have been getting a raw deal."

A statement from the six councillors said: "Six Muslim councillors had to resign over the row...after their leader Sir Bill Taylor fell to Liberal Democrat candidate Zamir Khan."