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| Funeral for Lord King of West Bromwich, UK's first Sikh peer | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral of Lord King of West Bromwich, the UK's first Sikh peer. | Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral of Lord King of West Bromwich, the UK's first Sikh peer. |
| Tarsem King, the former leader of Sandwell Council, died on 9 January after being taken ill in London. | Tarsem King, the former leader of Sandwell Council, died on 9 January after being taken ill in London. |
| Paying tribute, West Bromwich East Tom Watson wrote: "He remained active to the last, never squandering a single day of his 27,654." | Paying tribute, West Bromwich East Tom Watson wrote: "He remained active to the last, never squandering a single day of his 27,654." |
| Lord King, a former teacher who was created a life peer in 1999, led the council for 10 years until 2007. | Lord King, a former teacher who was created a life peer in 1999, led the council for 10 years until 2007. |
| His funeral is to be held at Sandwell Valley Crematorium later. | His funeral is to be held at Sandwell Valley Crematorium later. |
| Writing on his website, Labour MP Mr Watson said he knew the politician "as my gentle friend who has given wise counsel since I became an MP". | Writing on his website, Labour MP Mr Watson said he knew the politician "as my gentle friend who has given wise counsel since I became an MP". |
| 'Very calm person' | 'Very calm person' |
| Many other tributes have been paid to the Labour peer, with Sandwell's deputy council leader Mahboob Hussain saying he "always had time to listen". | Many other tributes have been paid to the Labour peer, with Sandwell's deputy council leader Mahboob Hussain saying he "always had time to listen". |
| Mr Hussain, a long-time friend of Lord King, said he was extremely popular and respected by people of many different backgrounds and faiths. | Mr Hussain, a long-time friend of Lord King, said he was extremely popular and respected by people of many different backgrounds and faiths. |
| The Labour councillor said: "He was a very calm type of person and would talk to and help all different groups. | The Labour councillor said: "He was a very calm type of person and would talk to and help all different groups. |
| "He always had the best interests of the people of Sandwell at heart." | "He always had the best interests of the people of Sandwell at heart." |
| Mr Hussain said Lord King brought unique experience to his political roles, having come to the UK from India when he was in his early 20s. He was elected as a local councillor in 1979. | Mr Hussain said Lord King brought unique experience to his political roles, having come to the UK from India when he was in his early 20s. He was elected as a local councillor in 1979. |
| 'Fairness and decency' | 'Fairness and decency' |
| He said Lord King's commitment continued as a Labour peer and he never missed a vote in the Lords. | He said Lord King's commitment continued as a Labour peer and he never missed a vote in the Lords. |
| "I think the funeral will mainly celebrate his life, but it will be a very sad day to say goodbye to a good friend," he added. | "I think the funeral will mainly celebrate his life, but it will be a very sad day to say goodbye to a good friend," he added. |
| The peer was patron of the Universal Peace Federation, hosting the UN International Women's Day for several years and human rights conferences. | The peer was patron of the Universal Peace Federation, hosting the UN International Women's Day for several years and human rights conferences. |
| Robin Marsh, UK secretary general of the federation, spoke of the "innate sense of fairness and decency" that informed Lord King's decisions and his support for persecuted groups and disadvantaged minorities. | Robin Marsh, UK secretary general of the federation, spoke of the "innate sense of fairness and decency" that informed Lord King's decisions and his support for persecuted groups and disadvantaged minorities. |
| Traffic congestion is expected near the crematorium from 09:00 GMT. | Traffic congestion is expected near the crematorium from 09:00 GMT. |
| Sandwell Council warned of delays of about three hours from Roebuck Lane, West Bromwich, to the crematorium. | Sandwell Council warned of delays of about three hours from Roebuck Lane, West Bromwich, to the crematorium. |