LORD Tony Clarke, independent chairman of the task force set up to investigate the recent racial disturbances in Burnley, hit back at what he regarded as an attack on his integrity at Burnley Council.

Responding to remarks by independent councillor Harry Brooks, a clearly angry Lord Clarke said: "I am not going to get involved in the remarks about how the task force was set up or the make up of it but I will defend my own good name."

The row began when Coun Brooks asked council leader Stuart Caddy if he was aware of the dissatisfaction with regard to the independent chairman.

People, he said, had drawn his attention to four "coincidences": that Lord Clarke was a former Labour councillor; a serving Labour peer; former chairman of the national Labour party and a former official of a trade union affiliated to the Labour party of which Coun Caddy was a member and Coun Andrew Tatchell was an officer.

He added: "And I am told this is not a political appointment -- pull the other one."

Lord Clarke, who was due to chair the second meeting of the task force today, said his credibility was doubted before he ever set foot in Burnley.

He added: "I am independent. I am very proud to have have been chairman of the Labour Party and who would not have been proud of being a councillor in the local authority?

"It does not that in any way I would abrogate my responsibilities to be independent in what I have been asked to do for your community."

Conservative leader Peter Lambert said they hoped and expected Lord Clarke would do an excellent job adding: "We are willing to give Lord Clarke a chance without any further criticism until the reports are made and then we will consider them."

Today's meeting will be in South West Burnley community centre, Valley Street at 5.30pm.

The public are invited to go along and express their views and the task force will then meet in private.

Afterwards Lord Clarke will attend St John's Church Hall, Worsthorne, at 8pm to meet villagers.