MP gives Commons speech after 'potential death threat'

Shockat Adam said he would "give a voice to those who do not have one"

A pro-Gaza independent MP who missed an aid funding announcement in Parliament due to a "potential death threat" has given his maiden speech in the Commons.

Shockat Adam, MP for Leicester South, missed the government's announcement to resume funding for the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees on Friday.

Mr Adam was part of one of the big shocks of election night when he won the seat from Labour's Jonathan Ashworth, who had a majority of more than 20,000.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Adam vowed to "speak truth to power" and demand the government "takes action for the poor and the dispossessed".

Mr Adam claimed "this is for Gaza" during his winning speech at the general election

Winning by fewer than 1,000 votes, Mr Adam had dedicated his electoral victory to Gaza.

He said the electorate wanted him to "speak up for them in these corridors of power".

Mr Adam added: "To speak about the injustices in the world, to give a voice to those who do not have one, a voice for those that have no might, that have no authority, or power.

"Whether it's those that are forgotten in Yemen, the victims of conflict in Sudan or the ongoing devastation in Palestine, or regardless of where it is in the world.

"I will always endeavour to speak truth to power and demand this new government takes action for the poor and the dispossessed and not just the powerful."

Speaking about the potential death threat last week, Mr Adam thanked Leicestershire Police and Cambridgeshire Police for their "professional, prompt and courteous assistance".

Leicestershire Police was contacted for comment. Cambridgeshire Police could not be reached.

'Infinite empathy'

In his maiden speech, the new MP also called for an end to division in his diverse constituency, saying Leicester was a "united city".

Mr Adam said people of all religions had "lived in harmony for over half a century" in his area.

"However, in recent years, fractures have appeared, sown by those who wish to divide us, often by weaponising language," he said.

"I understand that our isle does not have infinite resources. But we must always have infinite empathy, infinite sympathy and an infinite vocabulary that builds bridges and not destroys them."

Mr Adam began his speech with a joke familiar to wedding attendees

With hundreds of new MPs due to give their maiden speeches over the first weeks of the new Parliament, Mr Adam caused the House of Commons to perk up when he opened by promising to keep his contribution short.

He then unfurled a long scroll of paper that pooled on the floor.

The licensed optometrist continued with a raft of vision-related puns, as he claimed to be only the second optometrist to become a Member of Parliament.

He said: "I hope I can bring a little bit of my professional skills to help the House to focus on what matters and not be myopic in our decision-making.

"With laser-like reflections, I believe we can bring 20-20 vision to matters before us and not make a real spectacle of ourselves."

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