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MPs welcome Big Brother's Shilpa Big Brother's Shilpa to thank PM
(20 minutes later)
Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty is visiting the House of Commons, in the wake of a media storm surrounding alleged racist bullying on the show. Big Brother's Shilpa Shetty has said she wants to thank Tony Blair for his support, as she visits Parliament.
Bollywood actress Ms Shetty was invited by Labour MP Keith Vaz, who tabled a Commons motion criticising the show. The Bollywood actress is watching prime minister's questions and will then lunch with several Cabinet ministers.
Arriving at Parliament she said she wanted to thank all those politicians who had shown solidarity with her. Ms Shetty is visiting the Commons in the wake of a media storm about alleged racist bullying on the show.
Her treatment on the show prompted an international furore, dominating media coverage of Gordon Brown's India trip. She said it would be a great honour if she met Mr Blair, adding: "I want to thank him for his solidarity and his support towards me and my country."
Ms Shetty herself has said she did not think her fellow contestants were racist. Labour MP Keith Vaz, who tabled a Commons motion criticising the show, invited Ms Shetty to visit.
Arriving at Parliament with her mother she was greeted by a media scrum, including 23 reporters from India, and the chimes of Big Ben.
I am delighted Shilpa accepted my invitation. I know she will get a very warm reception Keith Vaz Brown seeks to calm row MPs enter Big Brother rowI am delighted Shilpa accepted my invitation. I know she will get a very warm reception Keith Vaz Brown seeks to calm row MPs enter Big Brother row
There were more than 40,000 complaints to Ofcom about her treatment and the chancellor was forced to make public statements about it during a visit to India. Later she will have lunch with Home Secretary John Reid, Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, Conservative MP Ed Vaisey, and Lib Dem Sarah Teather
On Wednesday she will watch prime minister's questions and meet Cabinet ministers Tessa Jowell and Jack Straw. Her treatment on the show prompted an international furore, dominating media coverage of Gordon Brown's India trip.
Ms Shetty herself has said she did not think her fellow contestants were racist, although she agreed she had been bullied.
But there were more than 40,000 complaints to Ofcom about her treatment and the chancellor was forced to make public statements about it during a visit to India.
Mr Vaz raised the issue of Ms Shetty's treatment in an Early Day Motion and at Prime Minister's Questions, calling on Channel 4 bosses to take "effective action" against "unacceptable" language.Mr Vaz raised the issue of Ms Shetty's treatment in an Early Day Motion and at Prime Minister's Questions, calling on Channel 4 bosses to take "effective action" against "unacceptable" language.
Mr Vaz said: "I am delighted Shilpa accepted my invitation. I know she will get a very warm reception.Mr Vaz said: "I am delighted Shilpa accepted my invitation. I know she will get a very warm reception.
"It will be her first visit to the House of Commons and the first opportunity for many MPs to meet her."It will be her first visit to the House of Commons and the first opportunity for many MPs to meet her.
"MPs will be pleased to hear about all the excellent charitable works she is supporting in order to combat Aids in India.""MPs will be pleased to hear about all the excellent charitable works she is supporting in order to combat Aids in India."
The actress will visit Leicester later, where Mr Vaz is MP, to launch a charitable foundation and meet fans at a community centre.The actress will visit Leicester later, where Mr Vaz is MP, to launch a charitable foundation and meet fans at a community centre.