In September this year the incoming Liberal Democrat president branded the appointment of John Bercow MP to a role in the Tory shadow front bench as "offensive", as it demonstrated that the Conservative party had moved to the "extreme right".

Educated at the Institute of Science, Bhavnager, Gujarat, India, Navnit Dholakia then attended Brighton Technical College.

He worked as a medical laboratory technician at Southlands Hospital, Shoreham-by-Sea from 1960-66.

He then worked as development officer for the National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants, and for the Community Relations Commission for the next 10 years.

Lord Dholakia worked for the Commission for Racial Equality until 1994.

He became Liberal Democrat spokesman on home affairs in 1997 becoming assistant Liberal Democrat whip in the House of Lords the same year.

He has sat on various committees for racial attack and harassment victims, and considering penal reform relating to young offenders.

Lord Dholakia became a trustee for the Mental Health Foundation in 1997, and was made chairman of National Association of Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) in 1998.

He received an OBE in 1992.