LONDON: Britain is planning to have a first all Sikh regiment. UK’s armed forces minster Mark Francois told the House of Commons that the head of the British army lieutenant general Nicholas Carter is looking at proposals to recreate a Sikh regiment that would inherit many of the “proud traditions of Sikh regiments”.

Responding to a MP who suggested that United Kingdom should have a Sikh regiment, Francois said: “With regard to your specific suggestion, can I say that you are one of a number of MPs who have raised this suggestion recently. We have passed this possibility on to the chief of the general staff (CGS), who is now looking at this issue and we are awaiting CGS’s comments back. But the idea may well have merit”.

Speaking during defence questions, Conservative former defence minister Nicholas Soames urged ministers to “do away with political correctness” and raise a Sikh regiment.

The Mid Sussex MP told Francois: “You will be aware of the extraordinary gallant and distinguished service by Sikhs to this country down the generations. Would you not agree that it’s high time to do away with the political correctness which infects some of this thinking and actually raise a Sikh regiment to serve in the country and make up a very serious gap in our forces?”

