Boris Johnson is right to order an investigation into allegations made by Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani that she lost her ministerial job on account of her religion. Ghani alleged over the weekend that a Government whip had said her “Muslimness was raised as an issue”. Chief Whip Mark Spencer has said the claims are “completely false” and denied ever using those words.
Anti-Muslim prejudice is never acceptable and has no place in the heart of government. It is both crucial and correct that the Prime Minister acts quickly to root it out.
Nonetheless, it is a damaging claim made at a supremely inconvenient moment for Johnson — ahead of the publication of the Sue Gray report.
This week could not be more perilous for the Prime Minister, whose survival now depends on him making no more missteps. On this matter, he has moved swiftly and done the right thing.
