Conservative - Lib Dem coalition: First female Muslim Cabinet minister makes herself at home

Published on Friday 14 May 2010 01:32

BRITAIN'S first female Muslim Cabinet minister hailed a "humbling" moment as she took her seat at the top table.

Baroness Warsi ditched the pinstriped traditions of her predecessors as she posed outside Downing Street in Islamic garments after the coalition Cabinet's historic first meeting.

Gamely removing her coat at the request of photographers and hanging it on a railing outside No10, she braved chill morning air to reveal a pink and purple shalwar kameez. She told reporters: "To be born as the daughter of an immigrant mill worker in a mill town in Yorkshire, to have the privilege of serving in Cabinet at such an important time in Britain's history, I think it is terribly humbling."

But her leader David Cameron has been urged to promote more women after naming only three female MPs in his Cabinet. Labour veteran Margaret Beckett said all parties "have to do more" to support women in politics. Also, out of 16 Cabinet appointments already announced, nine ministers, including Mr Cameron himself, attended fee-paying schools, while 11 went to either Oxford or Cambridge.