NDP bestows Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal on B.C. man facing firearms charges The NDP has bestowed a Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal honoring community service on an Surrey, B.C., radio station manager who's facing a trial on firearms charges related to a 2010 shooting. Maninder Gill, manager of Radio India, says NDP MP Jinny Sims awarded him the medal a few days ago. Canadian MPs are given a number of Diamond Jubilee medals, commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's 60th anniversary on the throne, which they are allowed to disburse as they see fit. Mr. Gill, speaking to The Globe and Mail, said he believes the medal is a recognition of the money he's raised for charitable causes through his radio station, Radio India. He said his weapons charges should not be held against him, adding that he was acting in self-defence against "Khalistani goons." That's a reference to supporters of an independent Sikh homeland in northern India. Calls to Ms. Sims" office were routed to the NDP caucus press secretary. The NDP declined to make Ms. Sims available and instead released a prepared answer. In the statement, Ms. Sims said she was unaware of the charges facing Mr. Gill when she gave him the award. But she defended her decision, saying Canadians are supposed to be considered innocent until found guilty in court. "It has come to my attention that Mr. Maninder Gill, a resident of my riding to whom I awarded a Queen's Jubilee medal has been ordered to stand trial," Ms. Sims said. I awarded the medal to Mr. Gill in recognition of the significant contributions he has made to his community and was not aware of the pending legal matter. The Diamond Jubilee medals are supposed to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians during the 60 years Queen Elizabeth has sat on the throne. Ms. Sims apologized if any Canadians were angered by the decision. "I recognise the seriousness of the crime he has been accused of committing and apologise to those who were offended that he was presented with the medal," the MP said. The Canadian legal system treats everyone fairly by ensuring that each accused person is considered to be innocent until they are found to be guilty in a court of law. It is therefore my responsibility to reserve making" any other comments until this issue has been adjudicated by the court system." Mr. Gill faces weapons charges after Harjit Atwal was shot in the leg outside a Sikh temple in Surrey in August 2010. Diamond Jubilee medals are being handed out to 60,000 Canadians.