THE Burnley-born MP at the centre of an expenses and rent row has been slammed by Burnley Council leader Gordon Birtwistle.

Shahid Malik has stepped down from his role as a Justice Minister but called for the media "bloodfest" to stop.

But Coun Birtwistle said Mr Malik "must be joking" if he thought the real issue was the media response rather than the attitude of MPs towards their expenses.

He said if the allegations against Mr Malik were true he was "using the system to his own advantage".

He said: "My advice would be that when you are in a hole, stop digging."

In East Lancashire his colleagues have rallied around and one leading councillor said Mr Malik will bounce back from the controversy.

Coun Wajid Khan, who succeeded Mr Malik's father as Daneshouse with Stoneyholme ward councillor in Burnley, defended the MP's actions.

He said: "I know Shahid and his family well and he is a hard-working and committed MP who works tirelessly and selflessly for his constituents in Dewsbury.

"I hope Shahid can bounce back from this difficult period and can get back to making a positive contribution in Dewsbury and the Ministry of Justice.

"He is such a good role model for any with aspirations from the community in politics and someone I have the utmost respect for.

"He has made these claims and been caught up in what is basically a very bad system, which needs reforming.

"Shahid is not a rich man, he comes from a working class background in Burnley so he has got a lot in common with his constituents in Dewsbury.  "It is all a bit unfortunate and I'm disappointed that Shahid is having to go through this."

Mr Malik was given the role of Justice Minister by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Justice Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "This is the right approach in the circumstances and the Prime Minister and I will await the report from Sir Philip Mawer."