Parliament's first turban-wearing Sikh has called on people to "espouse the politics of integration" during his maiden speech.

Newly-elected Labour MP Tan Dhesi (Slough) said the only way to tackle the "politics of hate and division" was to "call it out and condemn it".

He said the "enormity" of his election had not escaped him as he told the Commons yesterday (Tuesday): "A glass ceiling has truly been broken and I sincerely hope that many more like me will follow in the years and decades to come."

Mr Dhesi said Sikhs were not accepted everywhere and there were incidents of them being mistaken for terrorists in America.

He added: "Acceptability is still a problem in advanced nations, such as our close allies the United States, where several Sikhs are shot dead because of mistaken identity - mistaken for being terrorists.

"The only way to fight such ignorance, to overcome the politics of hate and division, including the Islamophobia that is so prevalent in certain sections of our society and media, is to call it out and condemn it - and espouse the politics of integration.

"And these are not just hollow words, Mr Speaker, I believe strongly in community cohesion and integration."

Mr Dhesi, who wore a pink turban as he spoke during a debate on drugs policy, joked that being different had its own "distinct advantages" and said he hoped his turbans would encourage the Speaker to invite him to speak more often.

He said: "Standing out from the crowd has its own distinct advantages - I, for one Mr Speaker, am very much hoping that these brightly-coloured turbans will act as a magnet as you repeatedly point towards the Member for Slough to make his invaluable contribution to proceedings in this House."