Liberal Democrat President pays tribute to Piara Khabra

2.48.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Jun 2007

On hearing the news of the death of Piara Singh Khabra, Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat President, said:

''Parliament, London and British politics, as well as the Indian community throughout the UK, will be much saddened to hear of the death of Piara Singh Khabra.

Piara was the very model of an immigrant to Britain who gave so much to this country - as teacher, social worker and magistrate and, for 15 years, as member of parliament.

The whole community in Southall and Ealing, and many political friends, will much lament the death of someone who really was the elder of the House of Commons.

Liberal Democrats join in sending his family and community our special condolences and wishes''.