Headlines
Queen's India-born Lord Lieutenant quits over controversial remarks
London, Sep 12
India-born Paul Sabapathy,
Britain's first non-white Lord Lieutenant who represented Queen
Elizabeth II in the West Midlands for almost eight years, has resigned
after his personal e-mail containing controversial remarks about the
British-Pakistani community was leaked, media reported on Saturday.
"Pakistanis
are lovely people individually but there is a lot of work to do to
teach them basic common courtesy and civility,†The Guardian reported on
Friday, citing an e-mail Sabapathy wrote after attending the
celebrations of Pakistan's Independence Day in Birmingham on August 14.
"They
talk to themselves and do not engage with the wider community. They are
living in the UK not Pakistan,†the leaked e-mail further read.
"Whilst
being rightly proud of their Pakistani culture and heritage they need
to explain better and engage more with their non-Pakistani brothers and
sisters if they want their children to succeed as British Pakistani
citizens,†wrote Sabapathy in his e-mail.
In a statement issued
on Friday evening, Sabapathy, who was born in Chennai and moved to
Britain in 1964, said he had decided to stand down and wanted to offer
an unreserved apology.
"I wish to apologise unreservedly and
wholeheartedly for the offence I have caused to the Pakistani community
and others, by the contents of my private email. I have today written to
all those who received my original email to express my sincere sorrow
and regret," his statement read.
Lord lieutenants are the
representatives of the crown for each county in Britain. They are
appointed by Queen Elizabeth on the advice of the prime minister.
The
main duties of lord lieutenants include arranging royal visits to their
respective regions, and present medals and awards on behalf of the
Queen.