HEALTH Secretary and Worcestershire MP Sajid Javid has weighed in on the Nusrat Ghani ‘Muslimness’ row by saying her voice should be heard.
Speaking before the Prime Minister confirmed on Monday (January 24) an investigation would be held, Mr Javid added his voice to those calling for the matter to be examined.
Ms Ghani said a government whip told her “Muslimness was raised as an issue” when she was sacked from her role in 2020.
“Nusrat Ghani is a friend and a credit to the Conservative Party,” Mr Javid tweeted.
“This is a very serious matter which needs a proper investigation. I would strongly support her in making a formal complaint – she must be heard.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now ordered a Cabinet Office inquiry into claims made by the Muslim MP who says her faith was given as a reason for her sacking as a minister in 2020.
Conservative Chief Whip Mark Spencer identified himself as the source of the alleged comment but added the claims were completely false and defamatory.
Responding to news of the inquiry, Ms Ghani, a vice-president of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, said:
“As I said to the prime minister last night all I want is for this to be taken seriously and for him to investigate.
“I welcome his decision to do that now. The terms of reference of the inquiry must include all that was said in Downing Street and by the whip.”
No 10 has said that when Ms Ghani first made the allegations, the prime minister recommended that she make a formal complaint to Conservative Campaign Headquarters, but she did not take up this offer.
The prime minister’s spokesman could not provide details of the terms of reference for the investigation but said officials should be able to “investigate freely”.
Speaking on Sunday, Ms Ghani said when she had not used the Conservative Party’s internal process because it was “very clearly not appropriate for something that happened on government business”.
