Why is it that Asian leaders cannot help but crow about their position, status and connections? Was it not Keith Vaz who persuaded his friend Peter Mandelson to wade in trying to secure a passport for Vaz's chums the Hinduja brothers? This succeeded only in bringing himself and Peter Mandelson down in the process. And wasn't it Lakshmi Mittal who secured a multi-million dollar contract after a little written assistance from friend Tony Blair? The list goes on.

This disgraceful "old boys" network has to cease.

India may have inherited "cronyism" from the British, but perpetuating it to this day has been all its own work. This facet is insidious in the Asian culture, for example, why is that so many Asian business networks feature only men - all chums from "way back" at that? Needless to say the "old boys" network is discriminatory, sewing up contacts, contracts and access to investment capital. All of which excludes women, who, according to a recent survey* constitute nearly half of all start-ups in the UK.

It may seem tenuous to link Gurbux Singh with the plight of South Asian businesswomen, but the key factor is discrimination. Mr Singh was appointed to fight discrimination on behalf of ethnic minorities and yet he proclaimed himself to be part of network that perpetuates discrimination among its very own.

Hardly surprising that Asian women seek their careers and success in non-Asian businesses. This year's Asian Women of Achievement Awards saw Geetie Singh of the UK's first organic chain of gastro pubs win the Entrepreneurship section and Ayesha Shah of the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction & Development) chosen as the Business Woman of the Year, by a panel of mainly white businessmen. And yet, it was Gulam K Noon (Noon Products) who was knighted in the Queen's Honours List whilst Perween Warsi of S&A Foods who had to make do with an OBE, even though they both work in the food business and are deemed equally successful.

In a bid to encourage equality and entrepreneurship, Government needs to be more careful, looking beyond the façade and PR to avoid being seduced by the quicksilver tongues of those out to profit from high-level political contacts. Politicians need to continuously remind themselves that they serve the public - that is you and I, and not the interests of individuals and their businesses and causes.

The actions of a few self-serving men do not represent the South Asian population in the UK. They never have.

The reaction from the South Asian community may be muted, Partly due, presumably, to the old belief "there for the Grace of God go I", but mainly because Asians are loathe to criticise. It is unseemly behaviour and contrary to the cultural values of looking after one's own. The rigid Indian caste system has long looked down upon the 'merchant' (tradesman) class, perceiving them as somewhat tainted and vulgar. Mr Singh's case promotes this prejudice even further.

Most South Asians in this country will probably keep a lower profile, not wishing to draw attention to themselves and their successes. Modesty is a virtue; it also helps distance one from this colourful disgrace. But can South Asians really continue to ignore the ignominious fall of their self-styled leaders?

Gurbux Singh's departure may hurry along the closure of the CRE - a damaging act at a time when its agenda is only just being achieved after decades of effort and millions of pounds. Keith Vaz's departure from the Foreign Office reduces South Asian influence on foreign affairs. Although he remains an MP, one wonders how much influence he can wield on behalf of his constituents when treated like the political equivalent of a "leper". The Mittal and Hinduja cases against the two of the top ten millionaires noted among UK's Asian Rich make other millionaires fervently hope not to be included in this annual list!

If all South Asians are tarred with the same brush and their voice in Whitehall is severely curtailed, then will they still continue to flourish as they have in the past? Having access to influence is a good thing - using it wisely is something else altogether.

We may wish to be treated equally, but we are not all the same.