FOREIGN Secretary Jack Straw almost lost two of his most valued aides in a car accident in Switzerland.

The Blackburn MP was in Geneva to make a major speech on human rights when there was a small pile-up in his convoy of cars.

A collision between a limousine and another vehicle in his entourage occurred as the minister travelled towards the conference centre.

One of the vehicles was carrying his press secretary John Williams and political advisor Michael Williams.

John said: "The car was damaged but we were unhurt so we just climbed into the people carried behind us and carried on.

"When Jack realised what had happened he stopped by the side of the road and waited for us. It was appreciated."

Indeed it might be, for not everyone would have been so concerned about the welfare of their staff.

RIBBLE Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans is urging everyone to go and see the film Bend It Like Beckham before the World Cup.

This week he went to see the firm with several Parliamentary colleagues of all parties and was deeply impressed.

It tells the story of a young Asian girl who loves football.

Mr Evans said: "It's a really good film. it's very funny and it tackles a lot of serious issues about modern Britain and the relation of the Asian culture to ours."

BURNLEY MP Peter Pike was stunned recently when he filled in a passport application for one of his staff in the town, secretary Angela Healey.

He signed her form and her children's and had a letter from the Home Office asking him to verify the application of Ms Healey and his signature.

Mr Pike said: "This is the first time in 19 years as an MP this has happened.

"As I said she was an employee I couldn't work out whether they thought someone had forged it or someone was going about impersonating Peter Pike MP."

That's too big a task for anybody!