London: It has been widely reported over 100 MPs have urged David Lammy to use all diplomatic efforts to secure the release and return of Jagtar Singh Johal.

David Lammy will be meeting Jagtar’s brother next week and will be asked what actions the UK Government has taken to exert pressure on the Indian authorities since Jagtar’s acquittal on 4 March.

The acquittal after a seven year wait proved the Indian authorities have no credible evidence to continue to keep Jagtar in prison.

The Sikh Federation (UK), that provides the Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs wrote individually to all MPs calling for their support for the letter.

Although 119 Parliamentarians signed the letter there is widespread speculation regarding two Labour Sikh MPs who at first signed the letter, but mysteriously withdrew their names yesterday morning.

Many directly aware have concluded there may have been illegal political interference by staff working for the Indian government in the UK that forced the two MPs in the West Midlands to unexpectedly change their stated position.

This would be an offence under the National Security Act 2023 that needs to be investigated as staff working for a foreign power have interfered in the political process and undermined our democracy.

On Tuesday 29 April representatives of the Sikh Federation (UK) in a weekly evening programme on Akaal Channel mentioned the Sikh MPs by name who had signed the letter to the Foreign Secretary and urged others who could sign to do the same.

However, two of the Labour Sikh MPs named who had signed and were mentioned mysteriously withdrew their signatures from the letter yesterday morning with little or no explanation why they had controversially changed their position.

Jagtar’s bother, who is a Labour councillor has written to the two Sikh Labour MPs to justify the change in their position, but has had no response.

The Sikh Federation (UK) has proof that Gurinder Singh Josan the Labour MP for Smethwick and Sonia Kumar the Labour MP for Dudley initially signed the letter.

Their unexplained U-turn has cast a shadow over their credibility and whether they can be trusted if they are at the beck and call of the Indian government.

Most are of the view pressure must have been applied on them after their names were disclosed on TV on Tuesday.

The matter has been reported as a potential crime and the West Midlands Police may investigate to see if an offence has been committed under the National Security Act 2023.

The police would probably need to interview the two Labour Sikh MPs to find out if pressure was applied to explain their change of position.

Dabinderjit Singh OBE, the Lead Executive for Political Engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK) said:

“We have had overwhelming support across the political spectrum for the immediate release and return of Jagtar to be reunited with his family.”

“Dozens of Ministers, including five Cabinet members who are prevented from signing such letters have confirmed they have taken up Jagtar’s case with the Foreign Secretary since our communications and his acquittal in March.”

“When David Lammy meets Jagtar’s brother and MP we hope he will be able to convince them the UK Government has doubled its efforts to get Jagtar released.”

“We know from the responses we have had the Foreign Secretary is under huge pressure to bring Jagtar home.”

“There will also be the added twist of a possible police investigation into potential Indian government political interference targeting Sikh MPs, that could result in an arrest and prosecution.”