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Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats yesterday visited Leeds on the latest leg of his Outside Westminster tour, travelling across the UK to see initiatives that are making change for good and to meet real people.

Nick was met in Headingley, home of the Leeds Rhinos Carnegie Stadium and Yorkshire County Cricket by Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West.

He was then introduced to Ikram Butt, the first Asian Rugby League player to play for England, he also played for Leeds. He told Nick about the work he has been doing with engaging the BME communities using ‘the power of sport’ to promote health and education schemes through the ‘Connecting Communities’ project that he manages.

Ikram then introduced Nick and Greg to the Leeds Rugby Foundation educational and Rugby training staff who showed them how their training sessions run. Nick and Greg then took part in the session on rival teams for a Rugby drill. The foundation works with around 50,000 children and young people every year and has also been responsible for helping 500 young people back in to full time education through its ‘Reengage with the Rhinos’ scheme alone.

Nick then invited the schools group to ask any questions for a 20 minute questions and answers session with an audience of primary and secondary school pupils. He answered questions on subjects from his views on the BNP through to whether he thought he wanted to be a politician when he was at school.

Ikram then presented Nick Clegg and Greg Mulholland a copy of his newly published book ‘Tries & Prejudice’ in which Greg contributed a chapter.

Nick commented 'Ikram is doing some outstanding work building bridges between the divided communities in Leeds and is a wonderful ambassador for the sport of rugby'.

The pic below from left to right is of Greg Mullholland MP, Ikram Butt & Nick Clegg MP

Ikram below informing Nick all about the BARA Tag Time initiative which involves Parliamentarians from both rugby codes.