Claude Moraes wins Krishna Menon award

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Claude Moraes, the Labour MEP for London region, has been awarded the V.K. Krishna Menon award for his “services to the political, social and economic advancement of deprived sections of the community, as well as his contribution to community cohesion and civil liberties within the European Union”

Dr. Cyriac Maprayil, Director of the institute said:

“We had many other nominations for this Award, but Claude won hands down because of his integrity, conscientiousness, courage and mastery of his brief. He is respected, too, for his oratorical prowess and his very engaging personality. It is significant that when many Labour MEPs throughout the UK were defeated in the last election, Claude more than comfortably retained his seat”.

The V.K. Krishna Menon Institute was launched in early 2006 to celebrate and commemorate the life, times and achievements of the Indian government minister and a pioneering London councillor. Menon founded the India League, the unofficial embassy of British-India in London, which became a powerful force in the overseas movement to help liberate India. The award celebrates “outstanding Indian patriots who have served in the Diaspora and also distinguished themselves in various fields including science, literature, economics, politics, diplomacy, etc”.

This week’s LabourList interview will be with Claude, and I’ll be asking him about the European campaign and his hopes and ideas for the next term in the European Parliament.