David and Samantha Cameron join Gravesend’s Vaisakhi celebrations

David Cameron and wife Samantha have visited a Sikh temple to mark the Vaisakhi festival.

The prime minister, wearing a traditional orange patka, and Mrs Cameron, in a blue headscarf, chatted with the faithful at the Gravesend Gurdwara in Kent.

After briefly joining thousands of people in a parade carrying the Sikh holy book to the temple, Mr Cameron was due to deliver a speech in the main hall.

However, as he was about to arrive a senior priest apparently objected to prayers being interrupted, and there were some heated scenes before the address was moved to a side room.

The Tory leader told the audience the Vaisakhi festival was a “big, bold” sign of their devotion.

“I wanted to make sure Downing Street was part of this too, and I’m proud to be the first prime minister to host a Vaisakhi reception at Number 10,” he said.