Lord Mohamed Sheikh was so pleased with our talk that he gifted me his book 'An Indian in the House'
The 81-year-old Conservative peer, who wore multiple hats, was eager to know things about India from an interviewer much younger than him. He was a man of open mind and big heart.
THE news was more than shocking. It was only on August 18 that I took an interview of Lord Mohamed Sheikh, Britain’s first Conservative Muslim peer and a successful businessman, as he was picked as one of the '50 Great Ugandan Asians' on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of the community by former dictator Idi Amin. We were in contact post that hour-long talk also as the veteran was interested to know how the interview would come out in writing and politely shared his feedback over the draft.
It leaves me in a sea of sadness that the man would not be able to see the final interview.
During our August conversation, we often deviated from the interview’s core emphasis and delved deep into Indian affairs, particularly its history, and Lord Sheikh was so pleased with the exchanges that he ended up gifting me a hardcopy of his 2019 book An Indian in The House: The lives and times of the four trailblazers who first brought India to the British Parliament signed by him.
The book 'An Indian in The House' that Lord Mohamed Sheikh signed and presented the author with. (Picture: Author)
And soon after I got to collect that treasured possession, the news came that Lord Sheikh was no more. The shock was immense not only because I had just taken an interview of him, but also because the 81-year-old was ever active in playing diverse roles – as a politician, businessman, academic, writer and most importantly, a humanitarian.
During my conversation with Lord Sheikh which turned out to be an once-in-a-lifetime affair, I could certainly fathom certain qualities in the man that undoubtedly helped me to make it big. He spoke words that were filled with determination. The towering individual I spoke to was not somebody in his 40s, 50s or 60s but in the 80s but yet the confidence in his voice proved why he was an achiever.
“Amin could take our properties and processions but not our brains,” the lord famously said. “Ugandan Asians have historically done well in every walk of life. Since they succeeded well in Uganda, there was no doubt that they would do the same in the UK, a land of opportunities,” he added.
Lord Sheikh was also a man of heart and principle. He did not hesitate to give credit to his father for those qualities.
“My father had told us to be best in whatever we did and to do ‘seva’ (service) to the community,” he said. The late peer also had a secular worldview and it was again the values that he received in the family during his growing years that shaped that personality in him. As the president of the Indian association in Uganda, his father went to gurdwaras and temples with his family. Lord Sheikh himself was also the president of a Sikh association and he told me that India as a nation has always seen a harmony of people, something that he always cherished during his stay in Uganda where communal peace was as robust.
Lord Mohamed Sheikh in conversation with Shubham Ghosh for Asian Media Group's upcoming special edition titled '50 Great Ugandan Asians'
Lord Sheikh’s repeated emphasis on his Indian roots spoke volumes about the love that he harboured for his heritage. The man was truly a global citizen since he spoke highly about each nation that he connected with during his lifetime – Uganda (Africa), UK (Europe) and India (Asia).
“This country (UK) has been good to us and as hard-working people, we grabbed the opportunities that came our way,” he told me during the interview.
It may be mentioned here that while Lord Sheikh was born in Kenya and spent his younger days in Uganda and went to the UK for study before the 1972 expulsions happened, his family originated from Punjab. His first book (2017) was on Maharaja Ranjit Singh, one of the most powerful 19th century Sikh emperors from India.
Lord Sheikh did not forget to pay favours back either. One of the reasons for him to join the British Conservative Party is that it was a Conservative prime minister in Edward Heath and his home secretary Robert Carr who faced challenges to welcome the Ugandan Asians in the UK after they were thrown out from Uganda.
To recall one incident during the conversation, the lord looked dejected when I gave him a fact about one of the four Indian characters that he covered in his 2019 book – Lord Satyendra Sinha. As we spoke about Lord Sinha, a big 19th century name from colonial India to make it to the British ministry, I told the peer that Lord Sinha’s paternal house in Raipur in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal lies in ruins today where people shoot horror films. “That’s a pity,” he said, adding that he would try to speak to some authority on that matter.
That task remained incomplete.
Lord Sheikh was also enthusiastic to discuss historical affairs when he came to know that the interviewer was a Bengali. He spoke about Rabindranath Tagore; Bengali surnames such as Chatterjee and Banerjee; and in detail, the Battle of Plassey of 1757 where the last sun of independent India had set.
That the man was ever hungry to know things was evident whenever I gave him slight pieces of information, like there is a memorial now at Plassey where the British army of Robert Clive had defeated Shiraj-ud-daulah, the nawab of Bengal and the fleeing Indian king after the battle was, as the legend goes, identified by his shoes and executed. "India has such a fascinating history," he said.
I even shared pictures of Lord Sinha’s dilapidated house and the memorial at Plassey with Lord Sheikh as he was eager to see them. “Really!” reacted the enthusiastic student in Lord Sheikh when I let him know that the Tagore family had bought the land where their world-famous Santiniketan ashram stands today, from the Sinhas -- who were local landlords -- for a token rupee one around the mid-19th century.
A truly global personality indeed.
Towards the end of the interview, Lord Sheikh also remembered Ramniklal Solanki CBE, the founder of Asian Media Group, and a giant of Gujarati journalism. “He was one of the nicest persons I ever met, a very humble man,” he said, also adding that the chief whip had advised him to meet the senior Solanki after he became a member of the House of Lords and he enjoyed every minute of the meeting.
“He did extremely well and his sons are doing as well.”
Lord Sheikh had said that in 1972, Amin’s loss was the UK’s gain. On September 22, the UK also witnessed a major loss in his death. It is not easy to find somebody of the man’s stature who was truly one with multiple faculties.
Keir Starmer speaks during a reception for public sector workers at 10 Downing Street in London on July 1, 2025. (Photo by CARL COURT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer faced the most serious test of his leadership on Tuesday (1) as his government’s flagship welfare reforms came under fierce attack from within his own party.
The day was marked by emotional speeches, last-minute concessions, and a deep sense of division among Labour MPs, many of whom said the proposed changes would push vulnerable people into poverty
The atmosphere in the House of Commons as tense, with about 50 Labour MPs expected to vote against the bill, reported The Times.
The government, aware of the scale of the rebellion, was reportedly considering further concessions, including delaying the most controversial measures until after a full review of the welfare system.
One of the most contentious points was the introduction of a four-point threshold for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility, which critics said would deny help to those unable to wash or dress below the waist from November 2026
Marie Tidball, one of the only MPs with a visible physical disability, delivered a moving speech, saying, “It is with a broken heart that I will be voting against this bill today. As a matter of conscience, I need my constituents to know I cannot support the proposed changes to PIP as currently drafted. Low-level support like PIP helps disabled people, keeping us out of the dark corners of hospitals, prisons and social care settings.”
She warned that the changes could put about 150,000 people into poverty.
Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, has announced she will vote against the bill, citing deep concerns about its impact on disabled people.
Apsana Begum
Begum said, “When it comes to people’s lives and wellbeing, there can be no compromise. Politics should serve people – not the other way around.” She criticised the planned £3.5 billion cuts to disability benefits, calling them unacceptable.
The MP expressed strong opposition to what she described as a “two-tier system” that would force disabled people into greater hardship.
Begum also pointed out the anxiety felt by disabled constituents in her area, who have already endured years of austerity and hardship. “I say to them: I am with you,” she declared.
She also condemned other welfare measures such as the two-child limit and the “poisonous narrative” that blames people for their poverty. “My constituents voted for an end to austerity. They want a welfare system that supports people, not one that pushes into poverty,” Begum said.
“That’s why I’m voting against this cruel Disability Benefit Cuts bill”
Rebecca Long Bailey, a former Labour leadership contender, echoed these concerns. She said the planned cuts “will still push hundreds of thousands of vulnerable sick and disabled people into poverty,” adding that “existing claimants will live in fear that if the situation changes and they are reassessed, they could lose everything under the new system.”
Long Bailey criticised the government for rushing the bill through without proper consultation, warning that it would worsen human rights violations already highlighted by the United Nations
Dame Meg Hillier, who had initially led efforts to block the bill, withdrew her amendment after the government agreed to a “staggered approach.”
She told the Commons, “Divided parties do not hold power or government. If we want to power our government, if we want to see our values in this country, we have to vote for this today.” Yet she admitted that “there is still a lot to be done” to protect disabled people and those seeking work
Meanwhile, the government’s climbdown last week was prompted by a major revolt from Labour MPs who argued the original proposals went too far. More than 120 MPs had signalled their willingness to rebel, forcing ministers to water down the changes.
The new plan means the stricter criteria for sickness and disability benefits will only apply to new claimants, not those already receiving support
Secretary of state for work and pensions, Liz Kendall, presented the revised bill to parliament, but newly released government data estimated that even the watered-down reforms could push an extra 150,000 people into poverty.
This left some Labour MPs still reluctant to back the bill, with backbenchers exposing “so many holes in the government’s plans,” as one put it
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Times Radio, “We’re all trying to find a way to protect the most vulnerable people and get people back into work if they need it,” defending the government’s approach.
However, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch rejected the bill outright, calling it “a fudge” and saying, “A fundamental and serious programme to reform our welfare system is required, and this bill is not it."
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Letby, from Hereford in western England, was charged in 2020 after a series of deaths in the hospital's neo-natal unit.
POLICE on Tuesday said they had arrested three senior staff members at the hospital where nurse Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies. The arrests were made on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
The investigation was launched in 2023 at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) in northwest England, following Letby’s conviction and life sentence for killings that took place between 2015 and 2016.
Arrests part of wider criminal probe
Detective Superintendent Paul Hughes said the three individuals were "part of the senior leadership team at the CoCH in 2015-2016" and were arrested on Monday.
He confirmed they were held on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and have been released on bail.
Hughes said the arrests were the first under the wider criminal investigation into the hospital’s handling of the baby deaths. He added that the arrests had no impact on Letby’s convictions.
Letby case and ongoing review
The case drew national attention during trials held in 2023 and 2024. Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others.
Letby, from Hereford in western England, was charged in 2020 after a series of deaths in the hospital's neo-natal unit. She has maintained her innocence throughout.
According to the prosecution, she attacked the premature babies—usually during night shifts—by injecting air, overfeeding with milk, or using insulin.
In February, a panel of international experts said the evidence used to convict her was flawed. They suggested the babies may have died due to natural causes or poor medical care.
Letby’s legal team has submitted an application to the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to examine if there was a possible miscarriage of justice in her two trials.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Uber Eats and Deliveroo will tighten ID checks, including facial verification, to curb illegal migrant work after UK government pressure. (Photo: Getty Images)
FOOD delivery companies Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have agreed to strengthen security measures, including facial verification checks, to prevent irregular migrants from working through their platforms, following criticism from the UK government.
The announcement came after the Labour government summoned the three firms for a meeting in response to a report by The Sun which exposed how some migrants were bypassing rules and working illegally in the gig economy sector.
Although the companies already have controls to verify workers’ legal right to work in the UK, the Home Office said "there continues to be abuse in the sector" through account sharing.
Facial verification checks to be expanded
According to the government, many asylum seekers who cross the Channel and await decisions on their asylum claims are using verified delivery driver accounts rented from others to work illegally. These individuals do not have the legal right to work while their claims are pending.
The Home Office said the delivery platforms have “agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks” to ensure “only registered account holders can work off their platforms.” The companies also committed to “combat illegal working”.
“We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to illegal working across the board,” said Border Security and Asylum minister Angela Eagle.
Immigration pressure and proposed legislation
Prime minister Keir Starmer has faced pressure from the anti-immigration Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage to reduce irregular migration. A new immigration bill currently before parliament seeks to expand police powers against smuggling networks and tighten work eligibility controls.
Since January, over 19,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats to reach the UK from France, marking a record number for this point in the year despite efforts to deter such journeys.
French officials, including former interior minister Gerald Darmanin, have said that the availability of illegal work opportunities in the UK continues to act as a pull factor for migrants making the crossing.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.
THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its next chief executive officer. He will take over the role in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.
Joseph previously served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK for 17 years. During his time at the company, he oversaw its transformation into a global exporter of British music and worked with several major international artists.
He began his career in advertising before moving into music, where he held roles in artist development and label management. He became chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK in 2008.
Alongside his commercial career, Joseph has been involved in a number of social and cultural initiatives. In 2019, he launched Universal Music’s Creative Differences initiative, which produced the first industry handbook for supporting neurodiversity in the workplace. The handbook has been adopted by more than 200 organisations globally.
He is a founding board member of Julie’s Bicycle, a group focused on climate issues in the cultural sector, and served on the National Council of Arts Council England for eight years. In 2013, he collaborated with Baroness Doreen Lawrence to mark the 20th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder through the Unity project. He also serves as Chair of the Grenfell Foundation.
Joseph has chaired several BRIT Awards shows and was an executive producer of the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 2015 documentary Amy.
RSA Chair Sir Loyd Grossman said: “David’s commitment to effecting social change, his compassion and his commitment to nurturing people is exemplary.
“We are thrilled that David will join us in the autumn, knowing that he will foster a collaborative and caring culture that speaks to our fellows, partners, staff teams and the wider world. These qualities make David superbly placed to lead the RSA into its next vital phase, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”
Commenting on his appointment, Joseph said: “The RSA has a remarkable heritage and untapped potential. At a time when fresh thinking and collective action are urgently needed across the globe, the RSA is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change - uniting its rich tradition of arts, creativity and policy influence with the energy of its global Fellowship to spark ideas that shape society. I’m excited to join such a talented organisation where we will build a bold new chapter together.”
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People take part in a protest against disability welfare cuts on June 30, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
DOZENS of Labour MPs are expected to vote against the government’s welfare reforms despite recent concessions aimed at easing opposition.
The government had initially planned to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (Pip) but later said the stricter rules would only apply to new claimants from November 2025.
Ministers also promised a review of the Pip assessment process, in partnership with disability organisations, due to conclude by autumn 2026.
More than 120 Labour MPs had signed an amendment to block the legislation, though a revised amendment supported by 39 MPs and backed by disability charities remains active.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC her party would oppose the bill, saying, “The benefits bill is too high. It was £40bn just before Covid. It is now projected to be a £100bn by 2030. And what Labour is doing is not making any savings at all.”
Labour MP Olivia Blake, who opposes the reforms, told BBC Newsnight, “I strongly believe that these kind of punitive measures of cutting welfare are not going to have the outcomes that we've been told they will.”
According to Department for Work and Pensions modelling, the revised proposals could push 150,000 people into poverty by 2030, down from an earlier estimate of 250,000.
Sir Stephen Timms, who will lead the review, told BBC Newsnight the government’s measures would help reduce poverty and make Pip more sustainable.