Leading public prosecutor and Chairman of Mosaic North West Nazir Afzal OBE was honoured as ‘Asian Man of the Year’ in last night’s Asian Media awards at a ceremony in Westminster.
Nazir was presented with his award by Chris Grayling, the Justice Minister (pictured) and was cited by the Asian Media Awards as a “tireless campaigner who has never shied away from challenging culturally sensitive issues”.
Nazir heads the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West of England, and has been at the leading edge of criminal law for two decades, helping to prosecute many high-profile cases.
He has also been a leading supporter of Mosaic’s work for many years, recently accepting the Chairmanship of our North West region. He also acts as one of our inspirational speakers – role models who go into schools in deprived communities to talk to young people from difficult backgrounds.
We are proud to quote his citation from the Asian Media Awards in full:
“Our Man of the Year is one of the country’s most visible public prosecutors. During a 20 year career he has prosecuted some of the most high profile cases in the country, many of which have set precedents for how criminal law should operate.
He is a leader who has not shied away from tackling difficult and sensitive issues. After a series of mistakes by the police and social workers he took the decision to reopen the Rochdale child grooming case. And after a number of high profile convictions he has continued to challenge taboos stand up for victims of abuse.
Nazir Afzal is British Pakistani descent and is a tireless campaigner who has never shied away from challenging culturally sensitive issues. He has taken the lead on forced marriages, grooming and honour based violence. In addition to the Rochdale grooming prosecutions Mr Afzal also brought to justice the killer of student Anuj Bidve.
Nazir Afzal is also a governor of Brunel University, a Chairman of Mosaic North West and a legal advisor to the ITV series ‘Law and Order UK’.”
Mosaic has, since its inception, done exemplary work in raising the aspirations and building the confidence of young people. Role models and mentors are crucial to success and I have seen at first-hand the difference Mosaic’s programmes make in the lives of those involved....