Last month, Nick Clegg admitted something that had been glaringly obvious for ages: the Lib Dem parliamentary party is “woefully unrepresentative of modern Britain”. Today Lib Dem interim chief executive Chris Fox signalled his determination to help Nick to get to grips with the problem by appointing a personal Diversity Adviser ahead of the General Election.

Here’s what the party press release has to say:

Rabi Martins, the parliamentary spokesperson for Luton North and past member of the party’s Federal Policy Committee will be the adviser to Liberal Democrat executive on equality issue. He will begin the role on Monday 16 November 2009.

Commenting, Chris Fox said:

“I am delighted to announce that Rabi Martins will be joining me as a personal adviser for equality and diversity issues. He has been a key member of the party for many years and has served well on various boards including the Federal Executive and the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats. Rabi will be a play a key part in continuing to strengthen the party’s diversity and equalities strategy and making sure that the party is representative of the country it serves. I have known Rabi for many years and respect his achievements. I welcome the positive and effective contribution Rabi has made and will continue to make to our party.”

Commenting, Rabi Martins said:

“I am delighted to be asked to work with Chris to support the party’s agenda on diversity in general and address the issue of representation of ethnic minorities in particular. Nick Clegg and the party have taken significant steps towards making the Liberal Democrats the party of equality and fairness, but they recognise that there is much more to be done. I feel honoured to be asked to contribute to this agenda.”