BLACKBURN peer Lord Patel has denied that his long-term support of the Government is costing MP Jack Straw the backing of Muslim voters.

He spoke out after refusing to support the government over its controversial new anti terrorism laws.

The Muslim Labour back bencher deliberately abstained in a crucial vote on Monday night over whether ministers or judges should decide on the imposition of control orders on suspected terrorists.

Although he did not join 21 other Labour Peers in voting against the government, he made clear his opposition to the proposals.

Amid claims that the Prevention of Terrorism Bill discriminates against Muslims and that the Muslim community in Blackburn is turning against MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw over the legislation and over the war in Iraq, Lord Patel was confident that the community would stay Labour.

And he denied that his own authority was affected by his close association with Mr Straw.

The Peer -- who some claim is losing influence among Blackburn's Muslims -- said: "I just went with my concience. I didn't tell Jack Straw about my abstention. You can agree on 99 per cent of things and disagree on one per cent.

"I don't think Jack is losing his support in the Asian community and I don't think that my influence is lessening."

The government conceded in the House of Commons that the most severe control order, imposing house arrest, should be decided by a judge rather than the Home Secretary.

But despite a rebellion of 63 Labour back benchers -- including Pendle MP Gordon Prentice -- Home Secretary Charles Clarke insisted on keeping the right to authorise the remaining control orders which include electronic tagging, restricting the movement of suspects, deciding who they can and cannot meet, and restricting their access to telephones and the internet.

However the House of Lords voted by 249 to 119 to insist that the decision on these orders was taken by judges and not the minister.

The government is considering whether to accept that the law of the amendments or face another Commons revolt on the issue and a possible stand-off with the Lords.