Several hundred people attended the funeral of former Bradford West MP Marsha Singh today at Scholemoor Cemetery, many of them Sikhs in headscarves as a mark of respect. Mr Singh’s friend from boyhood and former Asian Youth Movement colleague Idris Bashir said at least 14 MPs were present.

They included Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe and Bradford East Liberal Democrat MP David Ward.

Bradford’s first Asian Lord Mayor Mohammed Ajeeb, the current Lord Mayor, Conservative Councillor Dale Smith , the leader of Bradford Council Councillor Dave Green, and former politicians and council officers were also there.

Those who gave tributes were Ramindar Singh, deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Satham Gill, a friend, Mohammed Ajeeb, Kirat Marsha, Mr Singh’s grand-daughter, and Peter Carroll, former T&A journalist.

Each in turn recalled aspects of Marsha Singh’s life and character - his passion for chess, his love of Latin and German at Belle Vue Boys School, his charisma, kindness and generosity.

Ramindar Singh said: “He was a great campaigner at the time of multiculturalism. He was a tireless campaigner for diversity and equality.”