Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

British Sikh woman confronts Boris Johnson in gurdwara for promoting whisky

UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson had a tough time on the election campaign trail when a British Sikh woman admonished him for talking about whisky during a stop at a gurdwara in the city of Bristol.

Johnson, whose wife is of Sikh origin, was forced to apologise for raising the issue of high tariffs on Scotch whisky imports into India, which could be brought down if a free trade deal is struck between India and the UK post- Brexit.


"He was simply making the point that a free trade deal with, for example, India could be huge for both sides," said a spokesperson for the senior cabinet minister.

"He pointed out that in India billions of litres of whisky are consumed every year but there is a 120 per cent (customs duty) on imports of Scotch whisky and wouldn't it be great if we could have free trade.

"One lady expressed her views based on a personal situation but the other 30 attendees warmly welcomed his remarks. He said he was sorry to hear of her personal story but that was all," he said.

Johnson had stopped over at the Shri Guru Nanak Prakash Singh Sabha to show his support for Bristol East Conservative candidate Theo Clarke.

He was presented with a ceremonial turban and given a tour of the gurdwara before his remarks created a stir.

"I wouldn't be wanting to put somebody in power who wants to put more alcohol in India, which is causing lots of problems at the moment," said a British Sikh woman, named locally as Balbir Kaur.

"I am a practicing Sikh and to me that is absolutely outrageous," she said.

He was also put on the spot when he stressed that the Conservative party considered the matter of alleged British involvement in Operation Blue Star in 1984 "closed".

An independent inquiry into the issue has been included by the Opposition Labour party in its election manifesto released yesterday.

Johnson, the former London mayor known for his light- hearted speeches, has been using recent canvassing opportunities within the Indian Diaspora communities to highlight the prospects of an FTA between India and the UK.

"Whenever we go to India, we have to pack bottles of whisky because as you know there is a duty of 150 per cent in India on Scotch whisky. But imagine what we could do if there was a free trade deal with India," he had said at a UK-India Awards ceremony in London last week.

Britain's ministers have been on a hectic campaign schedule in the run up to the June 8 general election and the nearly 1.5-million-strong Indian Diaspora is seen as an attractive vote-bank.

The Liberal Democrat party was quick to react to the latest controversy, claiming it shows the Tory party's "bungling" approach.

Lib Dem shadow foreign secretary Tom Brake said: "This crass misjudgement has shown Boris Johnson is incapable of representing his own party at home, let alone representing Britain abroad. It doesn't bode well for all the trade deals the Brexiteers have promised.

"The British people don?t have to settle for bungling Boris and Theresa May's risky and extreme version of Brexit. The Liberal Democrats will give people a say on the Brexit deal in a referendum, with the choice to remain in Europe.

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less