LONDON (AP), — Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, ordered Monday’s investigation into a claim by a Conservative lawmaker that she was fired from a job as a minister because of her Muslim faith. This latest accusation of wrongdoing is shaking Johnson’s hold on power and the Conservative government.
Former Transport Minister Nusrat Gahni claims that a government whip told her that her “Muslimness,” which she had been demoted to in 2020, was making colleagues uncomfortable. She said that the concern was that she wasn’t loyal to the party because she didn’t do enough for the party’s Islamophobia allegations.
Chief Whip Mark Spencer claimed to have spoken to Ghani in 2020 but called her allegation “completely falsified.”
Johnson’s office stated Monday that Johnson had requested government officials to “elucidate the facts” about the events.
Ghani was the Conservatives’ first female Muslim lawmaker and was elected to Parliament in 2015. She was also made a junior minister. Her boss Chris Grayling, the then Transport Secretary, stated that it was evidence the Conservatives were a party of opportunities. However, some accuse Johnson of failing to eradicate anti-Muslim prejudice. Johnson compared face-covering veil-wearing women to “letter boxes” in 2018.
Sajid Javid, Education Secretary Nadhim Zhawi, and Health Secretary Sajid Javid, were both Cabinet ministers who spoke in support Ghani’s claims and demanded that they be investigated.
Zahawi stated that it takes courage for someone to say, ‘My religion wasn’t taken into consideration when I was being evaluated for what I do as work’. “This should never happen, and there is no place for it.”
Ghani’s claim has exacerbated the divisions within Johnson’s ruling party. This is being shaken by allegations of lockdown-breaching parties in Johnson’s prime minister’s office, while Britain was subject to coronavirus restrictions.
Many Britons were furious at the “partygate” allegations. They were prohibited from getting together with their friends and families for several months in 2020-2021 in order to stop COVID-19 spreading. Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, is investigating them. Her report is expected to be available this week and will be pivotal for the prime minister.
Ghani’s claim comes after William Wragg (a Conservative legislator) accused party whips in intimidating and blackmailing members Parliament to support the government. Wragg claims he will meet with police to discuss his allegations.
A few Conservative lawmakers have called on Johnson to resign. Gray’s report may be highly critical. If so, many more might call for a vote of no confidence in Johnson. This could lead to Johnson’s ouster.
Even if Johnson makes it through the week many Conservatives believe Johnson’s days as an officeholder are over. They also feel that Johnson’s time in office is overdue.
