The election campaign in Blackburn could prove very interesting, with Jack Straw facing opposition in the shape of a former employee.

Craig Murray is a former British ambassador in Uzbekistan who got himself into no end of trouble for protesting at both the Uzbek regime's regular use of torture, and the British and American governments use of intelligence material obtained by the Uzbek regime. Not to mention their apparent condoning of such behaviour as long as it gives the right results.

Having departed the Foreign Office, Craig Murray now intends standing as a parliamentary candidate in the Blackburn constituency of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. If Mr Murrary does indeed stand, then the public will be presented with a golden opportunity to question the government on its position regarding torture and the use of intelligence obtained by torture. With this in mind, Backing Blair would ask that the both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats consider throwing their weight behind Mr Murray's campaign should he decide to stand.