LORD Patel of Blackburn has sprung to the defence of embattled Europe Minister Keith Vaz, branding the campaign against him a "ferocious witch hunt."

Lord Patel has penned a letter to two national newspapers, also signed by nine other leading Asians including two fellow peers.

It says: "We feel a deep sense of unease and hurt over the fact that Britain's first elected Asian minister is being subjected to obsessive campaign of denigration, and fear for its long term impact on the good community relations we have fought so hard to achieve and the aspirations of young Asian and black people who wish to go into public life."

Mr Vaz faces a string of allegations including taking a role in the passport applications of the billionaire Indian Hinduja brothers.

Lord Patel told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph he had known Mr Vaz for many years did not believe the allegations.