8216;First turbaned8217; Sikh in UK Parliament

Recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission,the 79-year-old Singh will enter the House and sit as an independent.

8220;It gives me a new opportunity to do what I have always tried to do,to work with people of all beliefs to increase tolerance and understanding and work for greater social and political justice in society,8221; said Singh,who was appointed OBE in 1996 and CBE in 2009.

Sikhs already in Parliament include the Conservative MP Paul Uppal,who does not wear a turban.

Singh,who is the first Sikh to have addressed a conference at the Vatican,said 8220;the mantra of today8217;s times to look after ourselves because we are important is creating a selfish and fragmented society in which rights are put before responsibility.8221;

8220;We saw the worst features of this in the recent riots,8221; he said,adding 8220;I would like,in my small way,to work with like-minded people in all communities to reserve this trend.8221;