Over the weekend Barry was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India. In a statement, Barry said;

“The award of the Padma Shri is a singular honour which I will humbly accept* on behalf of Labour Friends of India for the work it has done with the Indian diaspora in the U.K. for the past 21 years. The vibrant Indian community in my constituency of Brent North is one of the great cultures that have seen the London Borough of Brent named as London Borough of Culture(s) 2020. They represent the very best of the inclusive diversity that is and must always remain at the heart of our Borough as well as underpinning the values of both the world’s oldest and of its largest democracies.”

*I understand that UK protocol means I am unable formally to accept a foreign award until Her Majesty the Queen permits me to do so.”