Ex-chief whip accused of telling a MP 'her Muslimness was an issue' in the clear over Islam row

• e-mail

Rishi Sunak will not take action against an ex-chief whip accused of telling a Muslim MP her faith was 'making colleagues feel uncomfortable' after she was sacked from the frontbench.

Mark Spencer, now a farming minister, allegedly told Nus Ghani her 'Muslimness was an issue' during a meeting in 2020 after she was removed as transport minister.

An investigation by the Prime Minister's ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus found it was 'not possible to conclude' whether such comments were made. 

Mark Spencer (pictured), now a farming minister, allegedly told Nus Ghani her 'Muslimness was an issue' during a meeting in 2020 after she was removed as transport minister

In his report, he wrote: 'I do not believe... that the shortcomings identified in Mr Spencer's response to Ms Ghani's concerns amount to a clear failure to meet the standards set out in the Ministerial Code.'

Mr Sunak last night said that 'in the absence of clear evidence, it would not be right to take further action'.