Independent councillor Altaf 'Tiger' Patel has condemned alleged attempts to 'bully' him into standing down from contesting the Blackburn seat in July 4's General Election.

He has refused to be intimidated into pulling out of the campaign despite anonymous phone calls and messages from what he calls 'unknown sources'.

Cllr Patel - a former Tory councillor - highlighted a pro-forma email/letter that has been circulated for signature, which says he should stand aside in favour of fellow Independent Adnan Hussain, who has the backing of the 4BwD group of Blackburn with Darwen councillors.

Cllr Mustafa Desai who leads the 4BwD group - now the main opposition on the borough authority - has categorically denied it has anything to do with the campaign to get Little Harwood and Whitebirk ward's Cllr Patel to pull out.

Cllr Patel is one of a number of candidates in the race for Blackburn running with the Israel/Hamas conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza at the core of their election pledge.

They are attempting to unseat the incumbent, Labour's Kate Hollern, who holds an 18,300 vote majority.

The 'copy and paste' letter referred to reads: "While I appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to our community, I believe your participation in the election will only serve to split the vote.

"This division could prevent us from electing the most capable candidate, such as Adnan Hussain who has the skillset and education needed to effectively represent our diverse Blackburn community.

"The role requires more than entertaining Bollywood TikTok videos.

"I politely ask you to withdraw your nomination. By doing so you will be ensuring that our town has the professional representation it deserves."

Taxi driver Cllr Patel said: "Over the past few weeks I have been targeted by anonymous phone calls and messages by unknown sources urging me to stand down as a candidate.

"I will not be swayed by attempts to intimidate or silence me.

"I call for those responsible for these 'bully boy' tactics to cease their actions immediately.

"I urge those behind these tactics to engage in a fair and respectful campaign.

"Let us focus on the issues that matter to our community and allow the voters to make their decisions based in merit.

"I have received many threatening phone calls but I am not going to bow down to these bullies. Instead it only serves to strengthen my resolve."

Leader of the 4BwD group, Cllr Desai, said: "This has nothing to do with our group,

"However reading the message, whoever wrote this makes some valid points.

"Particularly the 'strong and effective representation for the town and effective representing our diverse Blackburn community'.

"These points need to be carefully considered by all candidates throwing their hat into the ring."

Adnan Hussain declined to make further comment.

Other candidates so far declared are Labour's Kate Hollern, Conservative Jamie McGowan, Liberal Democrat Adam Waller-Slack, the Workers' Party of Britain's Craig Murray, Reform UK's Tommy Temperley and Independent Natasha Shah.