MEP celebrates British Bangladeshi school success

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 27th Jan 2008

Sarah with Ridhwaan Hussain of South Camden Community School and Liberal Democrat Cllr Sadik Chaudury

On Sunday January 27th London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford joined the Bangladesh High Commissioner to present some of the awards at the Outstanding Achievements Awards for British Bangladeshi students at GSCE and A levels.

The event was organised by the Bangladesh High Commission led by High Commissioner H.E Shafi U Ahmed.

Sarah commented:

"This was a hugely enjoyable and inspiring event, and my warmest congratulations go to the students and their families including a grandmother who came over from Bangladesh specially. It demonstrates that these young British Bangladeshi people do indeed have two home countries."

"They can not only feel proud of their Bangladeshi heritage but also be assured that their double identity enriches both Britain and Bangladesh. The days of the infamous Tebbit 'cricket test' - when it was suggested that cheering any but the English cricket team was disloyal to Britain - are well and truly over."

"Other youngsters of immigrant background would benefit from a similar affirmation and in congratulating the Bangladesh High Commission I would strongly encourage other High Commissions and embassies, not only in the UK but also in other EU countries, to copy this splendid initiative."