Nus Ghani allegations: Bradford district MPs give their views

Nus Ghani, who was sacked as a transport minister in February 2020 in a mini-reshuffle, claimed it was her “Muslimness” that was listed as a reason for why she was removed from her role.

She claimed she raised the matter with the Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the time and he said he couldn’t get involved.

A Downing Street spokesperson said he told her to make a formal complaint to the Conservative Party at the time, but she did not take up the offer, and now a Cabinet Office enquiry has been formally opened into the claims.

Chief Whip Mark Spencer admitted speaking to Ms Ghani but vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “completely false” and “defamatory”.

The Bradford district’s MPs have given their thoughts on the allegations, with varying viewpoints on the inquiry that has commenced and the incident itself.

Robbie Moore said he supports an inquiry taking place

Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley, said: “The allegations made by Nus Ghani are extremely unsettling, and must be treated with the utmost urgency.

“Nus Ghani is a friend, colleague, and a fantastic MP who I have worked with on a number of occasions since being elected.

“There must be absolutely no place for racism or Islamophobia in politics; no one should ever have their faith or identity questioned.

“I am strongly supportive of Nus in her making a formal complaint, and it is absolutely right that there will now be a Cabinet Office inquiry to investigate these claims.”

Philip Davies said he's not sure why an inquiry is needed (Image: Other)

Fellow Conservative MP Philip Davies, for Shipley, said: “I am not entirely sure why the Prime Minister needs an inquiry to tell him why he fired Nus Ghani - presumably he knows why he did.

"I must say that I find it hard to accept Nus' allegations, because if her being a Muslim was a problem then presumably she would never have been given the Ministerial job in the first place.

"Ultimately these things boil down to one person's word against the other and I am not sure how any inquiry can resolve that.

"When anyone becomes a Minister the only guarantee is that at some point they will lose their job - and it may not often feel fair to the person axed - but that doesn't mean it was because of that person's religion."

Judith Cummins, who represents Bradford South and is a Labour MP, said: "There is absolutely no place for discrimination at any level of our society. This is unacceptable and must be seriously investigated.

"In the last few days, the Conservative government has been accused by its own MPs of bullying and discrimination – this is not how a country should be run.”

Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, said the allegations made by Ms Ghani were "shocking".

She said: “It has come to light that these allegations were made in 2020 to senior Conservative members, including the Prime Minister, but no action was taken.

“Whilst an investigation by the Cabinet Office is welcome, the Swaran Singh investigation into Islamophobia in the Conservative party found that the party only acts on Islamophobia once there is media attention. It seems this hasn't changed.”

“To see Islamophobia at the heart of government sets a dangerous precedence and sends an unsettling message to British Muslims.”

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain added: “Sacking Nus Ghani because of her faith is absolutely disgusting, but sadly it is not surprising given the continued normalisation of Islamophobia that we have seen in society under this Government and even amongst members of this Government.”