AN "independent" who was earmarked to "referee" a major clash of General Election candidates in Burnley offered to stand down amid claims he was a Labour Party activist.

St Peter's Primary School head Denis Otter was to chair the traditional church-led debate of contenders at the school tomorrow. But Liberal Democrat and Conservative chiefs have cried "foul" after learning of Mr Otter's Labour Party connections.

Liberal candidate Gordon Birtwistle said it was wrong for someone with clear Labour affiliations to act as independent chairman.

"We don't want a stage-managed affair to suit Peter Pike," he said.

Tory agent Pat Jones added: "It is disturbing. The church should have gone all out to find a totally independent person, perhaps a minister."

Today, Mr Otter declined to comment on his political connections. He said he had agreed to chair the debate after being approached by St Peter's Canon David Towers who is organising it on behalf of the central Burnley churches.

"Part of my job every day of the week is to be fair," said Mr Otter. "I would be disappointed if people felt I could not chair a meeting without bias. "But if there is concern, I would be happy to stand down and let someone else do it."

Canon Towers said: "We needed a chairman who could control a meeting. Mr Otter is perfectly capable of being a good chairman but if candidates are uneasy, I will stand in - although I am known as a personal friend of Peter Pike."

It was claimed the format of debate would be "sanitised" and not allow free questioning of candidates. Questions will be invited in written form and sifted by organisers before being put to candidates.

Coun Birtwistle said: "This will, in my view, help Mr Pike steer clear of difficult questions. He has already refused to attend another public debate of candidates where questions can be freely asked.

He said he was also concerned about fairness at the St Peter's debate after learning that Mr Pike was a church member, his wife was vice-chairman of the school and his daughter a Brownie leader there.

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