Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office apologized on Friday for a "mistake" in organizing its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street after some British Hindus raised concerns about the serving of non-vegetarian food and alcohol at the event.
Although the statement did not mention anything specific to the menu, a representative of Starmer's office recognized the people's passion over the issue and thanked people for ensuring something like this would not happen in the future.
"The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street," said a Downing Street spokesperson.
"He paid tribute to the huge contribution British Hindus, Sikhs and Jains make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration. A mistake was made in the organisation of the event," the spokesman said.
"We realize the depth of feeling on this matter and so would apologize to the community and give them assurance that it would never happen again," the spokesperson added. The statement came after a formal letter written by British Indian Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja to Starmer, expressing her concerns over the reception not being "in keeping with the customs of many Hindus".
"I do feel it speaks poorly of the organisation of this year's event - with a disappointingly meagre understanding of customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear, is the essence of a letter she posted on social media yesterday.
"As a practising Hindu representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year's festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight," she said.
On October 29, Downing Street hosted an event that marked the first Diwali reception since Labour won the general elections four months earlier. Leaders from the British Indian community joined professionals and parliamentarians for the occasion.
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