JACK Straw is to push for the conclusion of a serious fraud inquiry putting thousands of East Lancashire jobs on the line at BAE Systems.

The move is being supported by other East Lancashire MPs who fear that an estimated 10,000 skilled workers could lose their jobs if the Saudi Arabian government pull out of a £6 billion contract.

Considerable job losses are being faced, particularly at BAE's Samlesbury and Warton factory sites.

The Ministry of Defence is currently negotiating the sale of 72 BAE Eurofighter Typhoon jets with the Saudi government, but this has slowed in recent months.

Speculation has suggested that this is because a lengthy investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) into previous arms deals between BAE and Saudi Arabia has angered the Saudi royal family.

The ongoing three-year alleged corruption probe centres on arms deals between BAE and the Saudi government over 20 years ago.

Following a Commons request last week from Fylde MP Michael Jack, who claimed the SFO investigation was "gumming up" negotiations and putting the future of BAE and its workers at risk, Mr Straw agreed to write to the Attorney General in a bid to move the inquiry on.

Mr Straw commended Mr Jack, whose Fylde constituenncy contains the Warton site, on his representation of the interests of the British Aerospace industry but added: "I cannot comment on a continuing investigation by the SFO other than to say that I will pass his remarks on to the Attorney General."

East Lancashire MPs are backing Mr Straw's new involvement, despite previous government promises that it would not intervene.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said: "This is a multi-billion pound contract that doesn't just affect Lancashire but the whole of the country.

"From Barnoldswick to Bristol there are suppliers whose products are used to make the planes.

"We ought to persuade the SFO to speed up their inquiry."

Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley MP, added: "We have to remember the culture and the sensitivities of the country we are dealing with.

"If something wrong has happened it should be investigated, but it should be done so quickly. If the order is lost thousands of jobs will be lost too."