BARBARA Castle played a leading role in British politics for more than 50 years. As the first authorised biography chronicling her life is published today. DAVID HIGGERSON and BILL JACOBS take a closer look at the woman dubbed The Red Queen. . .

IT was the love scandal which set Parliament gossiping -- bigger than John Major and Edwina Currie and more enduring than David Mellor's toe-sucking.

Now private papers released by Barbara Castle to her biographer, Guardian journalist Anne Perkins, before her death last year lift the lid on the 10-year semi-public affair.

The Labour firebrand, an MP for Blackburn until 1979, even gave Miss Perkins access to private notes sent between her and William Mellor, a prominent, married trade unionist.

The book, called Red Queen, is the culmination of three years' research, which included interviews with some of Barbara Castle's closest friends.

Perkins said: "There weren't very many people who remember the affair because it was very early in her career. There have been rumours all these years and they were confirmed during the research speaking to people like Michael Foot, who was a close friend and admired her very much, but always had too much respect for Mellor for it to go any further."

In the book, Perkins revealed that Baroness Castle claimed she was not beautiful enough for Michael Foot, while Mr Foot claimed he was too ugly for her.

Mr Foot also had great respect for Mr Mellor, a man who never actually left his wife for the then Barbara Betts. The affair ended when Mr Mellor died in 1942.

Baroness Castle admitted she "led him to bed" although she claimed that she did not like the fact 'he seemed to like me more for my looks than my brain.'

One story which serves to demonstrate the MP's commitment to politics took place in 1971.

As she was fighting for the Industrial Relations bill in the House of Commons, she learnt that her husband was suffering heart problems. Because she felt she could not leave the front bench, she sent her secretary around to her home to let the ambulancemen in.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson is mentioned as the person who made it possible for Baroness Castle to keep up with her family while flying high in Government, because she often ferried her across the country.

Mrs Anderson today said: "Barbara was my political mentor and without her backing, I doubt I would have stood for parliament. I have only seen parts of the book, but I believe there is a better biography to be written by someone who knew her better."

The book also details her transformation into Old Labour hero and battler for the return of the link between the state pension and earnings rather than prices.

This prompted her former political adviser and successor as Blackburn MP Jack Straw to admire her true politician's instinct for the limelight. The Foreign Secretary now says: "If I can create as much media interest when I'm her age, I'll be happy.''

He doesn't record her reaction, but Mr Straw is documented several times in the book and before becoming her successor, he was her special adviser. Despite standing down as an MP in 1979, Barbara Castle's life in politics continued. Miss Perkins said: "Politics was her life and she didn't see the point of being involved if you weren't in power. Even when she stood down, she had one eye on Europe."

Baroness Castle died on May 3, 2002, several months after suffering a fall.

The book states that New Labour had consigned her to history as a 'battling granny from the past' but, added Miss Perkins: "I hope this book shows that she was much more than that, she was the very essence of part of the Labour movement."

To coincide with the book launch, an exhibition has gone on display at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery. The book is for sale for £15 at the museum.