Nusrat Ghani: PM orders Cabinet Office to investigate ‘Muslimness’ claim
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a Cabinet Office inquiry into claims made by a Muslim MP who says her faith was given as a reason for her sacking as a minister in 2020.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a Cabinet Office inquiry into claims made by a Muslim MP who says her faith was given as a reason for her sacking as a minister in 2020.
Nusrat Ghani said a government whip told her “Muslimness was raised as an issue”.
The Conservative MP welcomed the inquiry, saying all she wanted was for the matter to be taken seriously.
Conservative Chief Whip Mark Spencer said the claims were completely false.
He said Ms Ghani was referring to him and that he considered her allegations to be defamatory.
The new Cabinet Office inquiry comes at the beginning of what could be a difficult week for the prime minister, with the expected completion of a report into gatherings on government premises that took place when coronavirus restrictions were in place.
Senior civil servant Sue Gray has been asked to look at the nature and purpose of the gatherings, including who went to them “with reference to adherence to the guidance in place at the time”.
Mr Johnson has faced calls from some of his MPs to resign over the matter, but others say they are withholding judgement until the findings of Ms Gray’s report are published.
