Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Naz Shah: Poverty, forced marriage and her mum's murder conviction

Before becoming a Labour MP, Naz Shah witnessed abuse and was forced into a child marriage in Pakistan. She also fought to have her mum's prison sentence for murder reduced.

You might know Naz Shah as the MP for Bradford West. But her journey into politics is far from typical.

Naz grew up in poverty in Bradford in the 1970s, in a home affected by domestic abuse. As a child, she was sent to Pakistan and forced into marriage with her cousin, before returning to the UK. Later she successfully fought to have her mum's prison sentence for murder reduced. Zoora Shah had killed a man who abused her by poisoning his samosas.

But despite an early life shaped by adversity and trauma, Naz was elected to Westminster in 2015. She joins Amber Haque to talk about her early life, the experiences that shaped her, and how they still influence her today.

Content warning: This conversation includes discussion of abuse and references to attempted suicide.

The biggest stories affecting Asian Network listeners across the UK. With Amber Haque.

Produced in Birmingham by Samsaara Productions for BBC Asian Network.

Release date:

1 hour

On radio

Wednesday21:00

Broadcasts

  • Wednesday21:00
  • Next Friday05:00
  • Tue 26 May 202600:00