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A human rights conference descended into a brawl within minutes of it being opened by a Labour peer, a court heard.
Baroness Uddin, the first female Muslim peer, had been invited to chair the conference by the International Bangladeshi Foundation in July last year.
But the event was abandoned as supporters of the ruling party in Bangladesh, the Awami League, and opposition Bangladesh National Party, clashed.
A number of delegates were injured.
BNP supporter Sharef Chowdhury, 44, of Bethnal Green, and Awami League subscriber Montor Ali, 37, of East Ham, admitted affray at Inner London crown court.
Judge Austin Issard-Davies sentenced Chowdhury and Ali to a community order with 100 hours' unpaid work.
The judge told them: "It is central to democracy that debate can take place free of violence.
"It is disgraceful that at a meeting chaired by a member of the House of Lords, a fracas like this should take place."
Ahmed Ali, of Canning Town, and Shahreyar Rahman, 34, of Clacton-on-Sea, were cleared of the same charge.
Reader views (7)
Is this the "baroness" Uddin who escaped prison for her frauds ? I would have thought she would have had the decency to resign from the Lords. What a hope, this is normal business procedures where she comes from.
- Michael, Kensington, UK, 26/09/2011 17:22
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It's all a fiddle - and not just the Barren (Loch) Ness Monster expenses either
- J B Blackett, Hendon, 26/09/2011 17:17
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When, just when will our politicans, councillors, Lords n' Ladies and other blinkered do-gooders wake up to what is happening in London Boroughs such as Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham? Why, in heavens name will it take a serious incident to spur them into the real world? Just what game are they playing ? For us law-biding people of these boroughs, the frustration is turning to loathing and if this is what politicians & Co are hoping for, they're certainly getting there as your story clearly shows.
- Gatedweller, The People's Republic of Newham, 26/09/2011 16:00
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Uddin, the first female Muslim peer, had been invited to chair the conference by the International Bangladeshi Foundation in July last year.
I thought she was being tried for a 6 figure expenses scam.
- Steve, Brentford, 26/09/2011 14:32
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Is n't Baroness Uddin the one who fiddled £98k?
- Anglo, The Heart of England, 26/09/2011 14:30
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This is just not surprising thats why there are not many comments here.
- Davey_Buoy, Chertsey, 26/09/2011 13:22
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No suprises there then
- Edward DeFazio, Little England, 26/09/2011 13:18
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