- Boris Johnson has delayed an investigation into allegations of Islamophobia regarding a minister.
- A probe was opened in January after Tory MP Nus Ghani said she was sacked over her "Muslimness".
- But Johnson has delayed the investigation into Mark Spencer until his successor takes office.
Boris Johnson has delayed an investigation into allegations that a Conservative MP was sacked as a minister because of her "Muslimness" until after he steps down.
In a letter to the Liaison Committee published Tuesday, Johnson said he was leaving it to his successor as prime minister and their independent adviser to complete the investigation. It is unclear if Mark Spencer, currently the Leader of the Commons, will remain in the UK's Government after the September 6th transition.
A probe was opened in January 2022 after Nus Ghani claimed a government whip had told that her "Muslimness was raised as an issue" by people in 10 Downing Street after she was sacked as transport minister.
Ghani added she was told her "Muslim woman minister status was making colleagues feel uncomfortable."
Spencer, then chief whip, identified himself as the individual in question, but denied the allegations.
Johnson handed responsibility for the investigation to his ethics chief Lord Geidt, who was carrying out the probe until he resigned in June. Johnson has not replaced him.
Sources close to Nus Ghani, given anonymity to speak frankly about the investigation, told Insider that Ghani had asked Boris Johnson, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, and Lord Geidt to publish the report before the prime minister departs Downing Street "so the new Prime Minister doesn't have to deal with breaches of the Ministerial code under the previous leadership. The new Prime Minister will want to return to standards and integrity to win the trust of the public."
Another source with a close understanding of the complaint told Insider the delay "speaks to a complete moral vacuum at the heart of government".
Rishi Sunak, who is vying to replace Johnson as prime minister, has pledged to re-appoint an independent minister on standards if he is succesful, telling LBC it would be "one of the first things" he would do.
Spokespeople for rival Liz Truss have failed to respond to repeated requests for comment from Insider on whether she would appoint a successor to Geidt.
Back in January Nadhim Zahawi, then education secretary and now chancellor, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's important we deal with this, and deal with this swiftly."