ROSSENDALE'S first Asian councillor Abu Asad Choudhury, was congratulated on his election success by Conservative Party chairman Michael Ancram at a special cultural reception in London.
Party leader William Hague and shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe also attended the event at party headquarters where Coun Choudhury was accompanied by Rawtenstall Conservative Association chairman Chris Wadsworth.
Shadow Home affairs minister for race relations David Lidington said: "Coun Choudhury was an excellent example of what the party wanted to encourage ethnic candidates representing all members of the wards they are elected to."
Coun Wadsworth said he was also keen to attract members of Rossendale's ethnic community into the Conservative Party.
"I would like to dispel, once and for all the view that the Conservative Party is either racist or elitist."
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