COLLEAGUES of a high profile councillor and former mayor have backed their leader after he was convicted of a DSS offence.

The move comes as Liberal Democrat leader councillor Paul Browne was amazed to receive a personal invitation from Tony Blair asking him to join the Labour Party just days after being found guilty of giving the DSS false information.

Liberal Democrat party members in Blackburn and Darwen expressed confidence in Coun Browne after a meeting to discuss the issue.

And he hit back at Labour Party headquarters officials for asking him to change his political colours, insisting: "There is no way in a million years I would get involved with that bunch of jokers"

Liberal Democrat spokesman Coun David Foster said: "Paul has our full support. "He has an excellent record as a councillor and there has never been any question of us asking him to resign.

"The way the case has been handled by the DSS gives us cause for concern and we will be pursuing this issue elsewhere.

Liberal Democrat constituency chairman Chris Thayne added: "Paul has served the people of Darwen well and we hope he will continue to do so for many years to come.

"He has the confidence of the party and he has received many messages of support for Darwen people."

Mr Browne, 55, of Greenway Street, Darwen, denied a charge of furnishing the DSS with false information relating to fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Edmondson but was found guilty by Blackburn magistrates last week.

He has served as a councillor for 25 years and represents Darwen Sudell ward.

The lifelong Lib Dem believes the Labour invitation, signed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, was a mistake.

He said: "I joined the Liberal Democrats more than 30 years ago and there is no way I am going to change my politics after all this time."

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