By Muslim News,
London: The Muslim News congratulates former Shadow Transport Secretary, Sadiq Khan, on his promotion to Shadow Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Justice in Ed Miliband’s first front-bench team.
“The appointment shows how far Muslims have advanced in mainstream politics in recent years with Baroness Warsi also being a member of Prime Minister, David Miliband’s Cabinet,” said Editor of The Muslim News, Ahmed J Versi.
“It puts paid to much negative news about the community and to detractors claiming Muslims are not committed to playing prominent and dynamic roles for the betterment of British society,” Versi said.
Khan, who successfully ran Miliband’s leadership campaign, became the first ethnic-minority MP to be elected to Labour’s shadow cabinet after winning the vote of 128 of his colleagues.
At the age of 40, he is also the youngest member elected by Labour’s 258 MPs. Last year, he also became the first Muslim member to attend Cabinet meetings when Labour was in Government.
His post shadows that of Kenneth Clark, who as Lord Chancellor is responsible in law for the efficient functioning and independence of the courts.
In his role as shadow justice secretary, Khan, a human rights lawyer, has also been given responsibility for Political and Constitutional Reform, which Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg includes in his portfolio.