Boris Johnson ordered today that the Cabinet Office investigate claims an ex-minister was fired for ‘Muslimness.
Following the unusual claims made by Nusrat Ghani (Tory MP), the PM directed the civil service.
After Nadhim Zahawi, Sajid Javid and others called for an inquiry into the matter – some suggesting that it should be completely independent – this was when they made their move.
The No10 spokesperson said that Johnson had taken the allegations very seriously.
The spokesperson said that the Prime Minister had asked Cabinet Office for an investigation into allegations by Nusrat Gani MP.
‘At that time, these accusations were made for the first time, Prime Minister suggested to her that she file a complaint to CCHQ. This offer was declined by her.
“The Prime Minister now has asked officials for facts.
“As he stated at the time: The Prime Minister takes such claims seriously.
In a round of interviews this morning, Mr Zahawi welcomed the news, but stressed he did not think the allegations had been taken lightly before.
According to him, he had not personally experienced any racism in the Conservative Party.
Sky News was informed by the Education Secretary that she had made an extremely serious allegation. The Prime Minister talked to her last night, and stated that the Cabinet Office would investigate and examine the details.
“She made a statement last evening saying that, in fairness to herself, these could have been people who were not even Conservative Party members. This is why it’s important to quickly get to the bottom.
“And, of course, the Chief Whip Mark Spencer has spoken out, and he has identified himself as the person. I also work with them, so I believe it’s important for someone such as a Cabinet Office senior civil service to examine this carefully, since the Chief Whip categorically denies this.
An independent think tank has asked the Government for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, (EHRC), to investigate these claims.
Runnymede Trust (a thinktank for race equality) says that the matter is too significant to be left up to a civil service-led investigation.
Ms. Ghani claimed that Mark Spencer, chief whip of the union, said she was partially responsible for getting her boot in 2020.
No10 claimed that she informed the PM about the allegation, but declined to invite her for an inquiry. However, Ms Ghani disputed their story and said that the PM had refused to be involved. She also claimed she tried to fool her.
Chief executive at the Runnymede Trust Dr Halima Beum told The Guardian that it was an alarming situation. A flagrant violation of our equality laws and labour laws would at best be described as the accusation that she was fired from her position as minister of the crown for her so-called “Muslimness”.
The very top authority should immediately examine the facts and ask questions concerning the legality. This investigation cannot be left to another civil service inquiry. If true, Nusrat will have to endure discriminatory behavior.
‘[Her]All 3 million Muslims and members of religious minority groups will experience distress. Each political party needs to be more aggressive in demonstrating zero tolerance of discrimination and to ensure that all religions are recognized.
Caroline Nokes was chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee. She described Ms Ghani’s treatment as “appalling”.
The Telegraph also reported that she supported calls for an EHRC investigation. She said: “Her faith has not made me [or any other coworker] uncomfortable.”
“At the minimum EHRC should take a look at it.”
A spokesperson for the EHRC stated that the Commission continues to examine the Conservative Party’s response to the Singh inquiry about Islamophobia complaints. He suggested that a thorough investigation might be conducted.
According to the spokesperson, “If progress has not been made we will review our decision.” [not to begin an immediate review]’
Director of Runnymede Trust Dr Halima Beum stated that the incident “must immediately be investigated by the highest authority”. “This incident cannot be simply left to another civil service investigation,” she said.
Elsewhere, a Tory MP sparked anger after he said Ms Ghani was ‘hardly someone who is obviously a Muslim’.
Michael Fabricant stated that the ex-transport minister made the claim at a time that was “very suspicious” and suggested that it could have been linked to attempts to remove Boris Johnson from office over the Downing Street lockdown party scandal.
Yesterday, Labour described Mr Fabricant’s comments as ‘shameful’ and called for the Conservative whip to be withdrawn.
Fabricant spoke to LBC and said that Fabricant’s comments were interesting. This is all because Boris Johnson has been openly scrutinized by the party, and they are trying to put pressure on Johnson to step down.
Nus Ghani said, “I believe the entire thing really stinks.”
“She’s not an obvious Muslim. She didn’t even know what religion she was. To me, it seems a ridiculous excuse that she was dismissed for that.
David Lammy, shadow foreign secretary, responded by tweeting: “What an awful, shameful thing to do.
The Tories could remove Michael Fabricant’s whip if they wanted to demonstrate that they care about Islamophobia.
Anneliese Dodds, chair of Labour Party Anneliese Dodds stated that the Tories’ response to Ms Ghani was shameful.
“For Michael Fabricant to be a Conservative MP and make comments on radio that mirror exactly the kind of unacceptable behavior Nusrat has brought up shows how serious the problem is in the Conservative Party,” she stated.
Ms. Ghani received support from Education Nadhimzahawi (the two highest ranking Muslims in the Cabinet) and Sajid Javid (Health Secretary).
Both men took to Twitter to show support for her and to demand an in-depth investigation of her allegations against Spencer.
He identified himself as the whip in question and called Ms. Ghani’s remarks ‘false and defamatory.
Dominic Raab, Justice Secretary of the United States, also defended the party. She claimed that she didn’t call for an investigation.
Javid claimed that Ms. Ghani is a credit for the Conservative Party, and added: “This matter is very serious. It requires an investigation. Her making a formal complain is something I support strongly. She should be heard.
After Mr Zahawi’s tweet, his intervention claimed that he had said: “There is no room for Islamophobia or any type of racism within our Conservative party. Nusrat Ghani is a friend, a colleague & a brilliant parliamentarian. This has to be investigated properly & racism routed out. #standwithNus’ .
Ms Ghani, who was the first Muslim woman to be elected as a Tory MP in 2015, told the Sunday Times she was told by a party whip she was being axed in February 2020 because her status as a Muslim woman and a minister was ‘making colleagues feel uncomfortable’.
She also claimed she was warned that if she continued to raise the issue then her ‘career and reputation would be destroyed’.
But yesterday morning Downing Street revealed that Ms Ghani had complained directly to the PM in 2020. A spokeswoman said: ‘After being made aware of these extremely serious claims, the Prime Minister met with Nusrat Ghani to discuss them.
Michael Fabricant has caused anger by claiming that the claim of former transport minister Michael Fabricant was made at a’very suspicious’ time.
Nusrat Ghani, the Tory MP from Wealden (East Sussex), was dismissed as Transport Minister in February 2020 in a minicabinet reshuffle
Mark Spencer identified himself last night as the whip in question and called Ms Ghani’s remarks ‘false’ and ‘defamatory’
“He wrote her, expressing concern and asking her to start a formal grievance process. She refused to do so.
After that statement was released, Ms Ghani said: ‘When I told the Prime Minister in June 2020 what had been said to me in the Government Whips’ Office I urged him to take it seriously as a Government matter and instigate an inquiry.
“He told me he couldn’t get involved, and suggested that I use the internal complaint process of the Conservative Party.
“This, as you already noted, was clearly inappropriate for something that occurred on Government business. I don’t even know if I was told about the reshuffle meetings at Downing Street by Conservative Party members.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab was silent yesterday. He said that Ms. Ghani must file a formal complain to start a specific investigation’.
Ms. Ghani claimed that Mark Spencer, chief whip of the Police Chief Whip, said she was a Christian and got the boot for her faith in 2020
After the Sunday Times reported the allegation, Education Secretary Nadhim Zhawi was contacted to investigate. He is the highest ranking Muslim in Government.
