Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah receives damehood in student’s design

An MP accepted her damehood in an outfit designed by a local fashion student.

Dame Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle Central and West, was named in the King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of her work for communities in the North East.

Dame Chi’s black and white suit, which she wore at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, was designed by Newcastle College University Centre student Lamin Gibba, to represent her Geordie, Irish and Nigerian heritage.

Gibba, originally from Gambia but who now lives in Heaton, said it was “an honour” to be asked to design the outfit and called it the highlight of his career so far.