Labour peer to raise Sikh hate crimes in Lords

Kuldip Sahota was Labour councillor in Telford and Wrekin for 24 years and leader of the council from 2011 to 2016

A Labour peer is to raise in the House of Lords the "disturbing" nature of recent attacks against Sikhs in the West Midlands region.

Telford's Lord Sahota described a spate of hate crimes as "surprising" and blamed "a toxic political environment" for worsening community relations.

His comments come after two racially aggravated rapes in Walsall and Oldbury in recent weeks, as well as a violent attack on two elderly Sikh taxi drivers in Wolverhampton, in August.

Sikh leaders have raised concerns with MPs at Westminster and hope to meet policing minister Sarah Jones later this week.

The meeting with MPs took place just days after a Sikh woman, aged in her 50s, was attacked with an electrical stun device and a metal bar in Wolverhampton.

"I am surprised and disturbed by what is happening," said Lord Sahota, who is one of only a few Sikh peers in the House of Lords.

"But the political environment these days is very toxic.

"People are confused with the small boat crossings and asylum seekers being housed in hotels.

"And politicians and political parties should be contributing to community cohesion, and I don't think Mr [Nigel] Farage's party [Reform UK] is doing that," he added.

'Death threats'

In reply to Lord Sahota's claim, a Reform UK spokesperson said the party stands with anyone who has been the victim of an attack because of their race, religion or politics.

"That's why Nigel Farage was unafraid to call out the prime minister and other senior Labour figures for their hateful rhetoric which has led to Reform members being subjected to death threats and physical violence," the party said in a statement.

"We hope Lord Sahota also calls out his own party's senior leadership for contributing to this toxic political environment."

Lord Kuldip Sahota entered the House of Lords in 2022 as a life peer

Lord Sahota, who came to the UK from India in the 1960s, was himself the victim of a hate crime during the 2017 general election campaign, during which he stood as a Labour candidate in Telford.

The former Telford and Wrekin Council leader received an email in which he was described using a highly offensive racial slur. He said he now regretted not reporting it to the police.

The 74-year-old was also caught up in "hate incident" during the following election campaign in 2019, after former MP Philip Dunne said Lord Sahota was "talking through his turban", during a debate in South Shropshire.

'Sikhs make outstanding contribution'

Dunne apologised "unreservedly" and West Mercia Police decided not to take any action.

Lord Sahota said the comment was "more out of ignorance than malice".

A Home Office spokesperson said: "British Sikhs make an outstanding contribution to the strength and richness of our society.

"We have zero tolerance for any form of religious hatred, and fully support the police in taking robust action against those who target specific communities.

"Places of worship must be safe and welcoming for all, which is why this government is investing £70.9m in 2025/26 to support the security and peace of mind of those attending religious sites, including gurdwaras."