Vivienne Westwood comes to Brum

Feb 21 2008 By Poppy Brady

QUEEN of punk Dame Vivienne Westwood headed a glitzy get together in Birmingham where the issue of human rights, rather than fashion, took centre stage.

The 66-year-old style icon joined her son Joe Corre, founder of the exotic lingerie company Agent Provocateur, at the Town Hall to launch the Birmingham-based human rights charity Humanade.

The charitable trust has been launched with backing from Birmingham chartered accountants and business advisors Wenham Major.

Looking stunning in a terracotta ragged-edged dress, she revealed the campaign for human rights was her ’number one priority.’

She said: "Imagine being executed for something you are not guilty of. Human rights is the keystone of our democracy and our civilisation. If we let that go then we really have anarchy in the rest of the world.

"I live a wonderful life and I’m one of the most privileged people on the planet, but not everyone has the freedom to reach their potential and live their life."

Her son Joe, aged 40, whose father is one-time punk rocker and Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, said: "Businesses have traditionally shied away from the challenges presented by human rights but we want to show companies that the issue of human rights can be good for business."

John Edwards, accountant and assurance director for Wenham Major, said several corporate organisations had refused to take tables at the 300-guest launch, preferring to distance themselves from the human rights issue.

Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, the National Council for Civil Liberties, added: "It is wonderful that the business community in Birmingham is here tonight to show that human rights are not seen as dirty words. Dignity, equality, fairness and freedom still matter."