European Parliament rejects Sikh delegation

Derek Clark British MEP, who represents the East Midlands, today slammed the European Parliament for what he called "disgraceful behaviour", when it refused to allow a group of 50 Sikhs into the Parliament building.

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The group, who were visiting the Parliament to lobby on behalf of their right to wear their religious insignia, which includes a ceremonial dagger, had been told that there would be no problems in accessing the building.

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However, when they arrived, they were denied access due to a rule change at 8pm last night. Many of the group are elderly and they were kept in an area with no seats, no refreshments and, most importantly, no toilet facilities, for four hour. Even when they requested a security escort to allow them to relieve themselves, this was refused".

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Mr Clark a former schol teacher turned UKIP politician (and well known to the editor) commented this afternoon: "I will be writing in the strongest terms to the President of the European Parliament, protesting at what seems quite apparently to be racist behaviour on the part of the European Parliament and demanding an apology is given to the party from The Sikh Freedom Lobby''.

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The Sikh gentlemen had traveled from from the UK, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium.