PRIME Minister Tony Blair has waded into the row about the rewriting of the history books in a hit Hollywood movie - more than a year after the Wharfedale Observer first highlighted the controversy.

The movie - U571 - portrays the British capture of the Enigma code machine, which in reality changed the course of the Battle of the Atlantic, as an American operation.

MP Paul Truswell, the curator of Horsforth Museum Ron Hartley and Horsforth residents expressed outrage at the film because the battle heavily featured the HMS Aubretia, which was paid for when Horsforth residents raised £241,000 in one week in 1941.

And, as exclusively revealed in the Wharfedale Observer, US President Bill Clinton joined the controversy by writing to Mr Truswell assuring him that the film was a work of fiction and paying tribute to the people of Horsforth and heroism of the Royal Navy in the Second World War.

Now Mr Blair has agreed in a Commons debate that the film is an insult to British sailors.

During Question Time, Tamworth MP Brian Jenkins said: "The film is an affront to the memories of the British sailors who lost their lives in action."

Mr Blair responded: "I agree entirely with what you say."

Culture Secretary Chris Smith has also said he would raise the issue with U571 producers Universal in Hollywood about the glossing over of events.

Earlier this month, the Wharfedale reported Horsforth & Aireborough MP Paul Truswell attended a special viewing of the film with two Naval officers - and that they were all satisfied that honour had been served.

"It is an enjoyable Boys' Own-type Hollywood hokum which stretches credibility, rather than history, to breaking point," said Mr Truswell.

Pressure from Mr Truswell and local outcry led to a tribute of the British effort at the beginning and end of the film, which has taken more than $70 million since its release in

the States nearly two months ago.

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