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ONE ONE with Keith Vaz, MP
Asian Voice 11th February 2017
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Rosena Allin-Khan
Rosena Allin-Khan has been the Member of Parliament for Tooting since 17 June 2016. She won the seat at the 2016 by-election, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sadiq Khan after his election in May 2016 as Mayor of London. Her rise to become a Shadow Minister was meteoric within weeks of her election she became the Shadow Minister for Sport, a post she has held since October 2016. Rosena was born in Tooting. Her Polish mother had been a singer in the Polish girl-band Filipinki, who met her father, originally from Pakistan, while the band was on tour in London. The couple separated after having two children, and her mother worked three jobs to support Rosena and her brother. She was educated at Trinity St Mary School, a local comprehensive. She wanted to be a doctor, but could not afford medical school, so she took a degree in medical biochemistry at Brunel University in London, funding her education through a series of part-time jobs. After further studies funded by scholarships, she was accepted at the age of 24 to study medicine at Cambridge University. 1) What is your current position? Last year, I was elected as the MP for Tooting in South London, taking over from Sadiq Khan after he became London Mayor. In October I became the Shadow Minister for Sport, I was always very sporty at University and I’m a keen boxer – so it’s a great job for me to have. 2) What are your proudest achievements? Being mother to two amazing little girls, now aged 2 and 3. I look at them every day and think, wow I made those! I felt really proud when my brother, my husband and I, all managed to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world. It was a tough climb and we were so relieved when we all reached the summit. Becoming
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career? Getting into medical school from a poor background, back when I was applying, was hugely difficult. It felt like doors were just not open in the same way as they were for others. I went and obtained a degree in a subject I had little interest in and after I spent a few years giving myself a good "talking to", I realised that
I should not accept limitations placed on me by others and that I should go for it. I managed to make a success of it. Something I would not call an obstacle as such, but is certainly tricky to navigate at times, is being a woman and standing for election. The media and often one's opposition, really do treat BAME and female candidates differently. I certainly felt unfairly judged at times. 5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date? My mum is my inspiration, while growing up, her love and care towards me and my brother, especially through the tough times, has made me what I am today. Without my mum I wouldn’t have gone to
Child sex gang jailed for 81 years after abusing girl A child sex gang has been jailed for a total of more than 80 years after abusing a girl who fell pregnant when she was aged just 12. The woman who was sexually exploited by the men from Rotherham since she was aged 11 told Sheffield Crown Court she felt her child was ‘the product of pure evil’ during an emotional trial. The gang’s sentencing was carried out amid scenes of chaos as two of the men, jailed for offences relating to the woman and another victim, shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ as they were led from the dock. As their supporters began s0houting down into the packed courtroom, one of the victims shouted back ‘justice is served’ as police moved into the public gallery. Both victims had watched as Basharat Dad was jailed for 20 years and five others were given prison sentences of more than 10 years for offences against the women between 1999 and 2001. The girl’s pregnancy at the age of 12 made headlines
Tayab Dad , Nasar Dad, Basharat Dad, Matloon Hussain, Mohammed Sadiq, Amjad Ali
in 2001 when she was portrayed as one of Britain’s youngest ever mothers. Although five men were arrested, there were no prosecutions at the time after the victim told police she could not say which of a number of men she had had sex with was the father. The court heard how the girl was plied with alcohol and drugs from the age of 11 when she began being sexually exploited by a number of men. The sentencing marks
Cambridge University to study Medicine, she’s incredible! 6) What is the best aspect about your current role? Being the MP for Tooting doesn't feel like work. How can it when I spend my day representing the home where I grew up and now raise my own young family? By far the best aspect is meeting and supporting all the hundreds of amazing volunteers, who so selflessly serve the community and never ask for thanks.
the MP for Tooting, the area I was born and raised and am now raising my family is right up there too. 3) What inspires you? The thought that in doing my job now, I have the opportunity to try and make this country better for my children to grow up in. Also, the belief that I can be a voice for those that don't have one and stand up for what is right.
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the end of a series of three major trials after a shocking report on child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham described how more than 1,400 children had been groomed, trafficked and raped in the town over a 16-year period. The three trials have resulted in 18 people being jailed for sentences totalling more than 280 years and are the last following South Yorkshire Police investigations.
7) And the worst? Hearing stories of people struggling to make ends meet. Seeing that more and more families with children are relying on food banks outrages me. There’s a real lack of genuinely affordable homes across the country and wages just haven’t grown at the same rate as cost of living. Knowing that, across the country, developers are building multimillion-pound luxury apartments while a family from Tooting has to pay £2,400 a month for a two bedroom flat – is tragic. 8) What are your long term goals? Re-election as Tooting MP and seeing Labour return to government. Getting more BAME men and women into sport, whether
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it be on the pitch or in the boardroom at the very top of sporting organisations. Most importantly, I want every young Asian person to be able to look at me and say "if she can do it, I can do it". I aim to spend every single day in elected office, trying to be a positive role model. I am just a normal Tooting girl. Nothing special, just tenacious. 9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change? The NHS is facing a crisis and the Government don’t have any answers for it. If I were Prime Minister, I’d ensure we properly invested in our hospitals and in ensuring people had better access to their local GP. We have a duty to care for everyone in our society young and old. The NHS is something we should be proud of and currently it's on its knees, as are the amazing staff that keep it afloat. 10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why? Given everything that’s going on around the world today, I’d like to be marooned on a desert island with Donald Trump and a pair of my boxing gloves. Also, I never got to meet my paternal grandmother from Pakistan. She died young, before I got to meet her. From what I know, she was kind, wonderful at raising a family and never ever gave up. I think she could teach me a lot.
Portsmouth father faces jail over child abduction A father who served time for abducting his children could be jailed again after failing to unite them with their mother. Usama Al Barwani, from Portsmouth, pictured, served half a fouryear sentence for abducting his daughter, Aishah, now 12, and his son, Faris, eight, in 2012. The pair are believed to be living with relatives in Oman. Mr Al Barwani previously said he would arrange for the children to be handed over to the British Embassy in Oman.
At the latest hearing at the Family Division of the High Court, Mr Justice Hayden said: "His son and daughter have lost years of their mother that will never be recovered." He said that at a hearing in December, following Al Barwani's release from jail, he had "agreed to cause the children to be handed over to the care and control of the British Embassy in Oman by January 6 this year". He added: "He has given evidence today which I have found entire-
ly unconvincing. He is a shameless liar." The case was adjourned to allow Al Barwani to get legal representation ahead of the committal proceedings, the date of which is yet to be fixed.
Crawley cinema acid attack: Man admits assault A man involved in an unprovoked acid attack on a cinema-goer has been given a conditional discharge for his role. Shop worker Samir Hussain was scarred for Michael life when McPherson threw sulphuric acid in his face outside Cineworld in Crawley, West Sussex. Mr Hussain still wears
a mask 18 months on, Brighton Magistrates' Court heard. Lee Bates, who was
with McPherson at the time, was sentenced after admitting common assault, while McPherson, who admitted GBH, will be sentenced later. The court heard that they were approached outside the cinema by Bates and by McPherson, who told them: "You've seen a gangster movie; you can see gangsters now."