Alex Salmond MP, the Leader of the Scottish National Party, addressed over 10,000 Sikhs at the recent National Sikh Convention organised by the Sikh Federation (UK). He said: "the reason I'm here is the high regard in which I and the Scottish National Party hold the Sikh community" As expected he addressed the issue of the Sikhs right to self determination. He stated: "I have a particular interest in both human rights and indeed self determination in the Punjab. Self determination and human rights are indivisible, meaning that they must apply to all peoples in all countries every where. You cannot argue for self determination for Scotland and not be concerned with the right of self determination of the Sikh Nation." The BBC reported "Mr Salmond gave his support to the Sikhs right to self determination, a measure recently publicly backed by the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party." Earlier Patrick Mercer OBE MP the Shadow Homeland Security Minister spoke passionately about the Sikhs recalling his personal experiences and that of his father. He referred to Sikhs as "the bravest of people and the best of friends". He thanked Sikhs for their courage that made "Sikhs stand as a proud and independent people." Alex Salmon concluded his speech by stating: "I welcome this opportunity to speak to this great Convention, you have my best wishes for progress in all of your fields of endeavour."

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