Taxpayer-funded trip to 'build bridges'

The estimated £2,000 trip, funded by the British Council, aims to ‘build bridges’ with some of the country’s 150 million Muslims and show that Britain is a ‘free and civilised society’.

Simon Gammell, director of the British Council in West India, was keen to point out that Mirza's set - drawn from her Edinburgh show this year – contains noting controversial.

He added: 'She will be appearing at a literary festival and several smaller café venues. Shazia's visit is designed to foster greater mutual understanding between the two countries and to present the UK as a contemporary, fun-loving country which is prepared to debate the issues of the day in an open and civilised environment.'

British Council spokesman Anthony watson added: 'Humour has always played an essential role in encouraging greater cultural dialogue and Shazia's success as a British comedian demonstrates the power of comedy to foster free, open debate about the diverse challenges facing all of us in the 21st century.'

Reports that a successful trip to India may be followed by similar tours of Saudi Arabia or Pakistan have been denied by the British Council.

Birmingham-born Mirza, 30, is of Pakistani descent. She originally performed wearing the hijab headscarf, although she later dropped it.

Mirza starts her short tour in Bombay on November 9.

Published: 23 Oct 2006