Narendra Modi turned down Labour Friends of India invite

In recent weeks there has been a row brewing within the party over Labour Friends of India’s invitation for controversial politician Narendra Modi to speak in the UK. The arguments against inviting Modi were made here by Jon Wilson, and for inviting Modi by Lord Desai.

Now Indian paper The Hindu says that Modi turned down Labour Friends of India’s invitation. It reports Barry Gardiner MP (Labour Friends of India Chair) meeting those protesting against his organisation’s invitation:

“Mr. Gardiner came out to meet the protestors and spent several minutes arguing with his detractors. He said that Mr. Modi had declined the invitation as he had other preoccupations, but stoutly defended his decision to invite him.”