Now, both Ms Ghani and Mr Spencer are back in government. ![]() The turmoil within the government since the investigation was launched at the start of 2022 has led to a number of delays. Ms Ghani did not identify then-chief whip Mark Spencer, but he later came forward to say he was the whip in question. She said she was also told that her "Muslim woman minister status was making colleagues feel uncomfortable" and that there were concerns "that I wasn't loyal to the party as I didn't do enough to defend the party against Islamophobia allegations". ![]() Ms Ghani said she was told by a whip, who she did not identify, that her "Muslimness was raised as an issue" at a meeting in Downing Street. It concerns the sacking of Nusrat Ghani from then prime minister Boris Johnson's cabinet in February 2020.Ī Cabinet Office investigation was ordered when Ms Ghani made the allegation last year about her dismissal as transport minister. The prime minister has responded to a report by the government's independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus which has been released this afternoon. "As I said last year, my party is better and bigger than this whole sorry episode which has only been bearable due to the support of so many Conservative colleagues." "I would like to thank the prime minister and Sir Laurie for publishing the report after three years. "The impact of being told this was devastating and my motivation in pursuing the complaint was to ensure it wasn't buried, but that it ended with me so that no other colleague would have to endure anything similar. "But to be told your faith and identity is the reason for it cannot be acceptable in any way. "We all serve at the prime minister's choosing and there is no shame in a political career ending. " Others will have to explain the report noting the 'omissions', 'shortcomings', 'incomplete information', 'inaccurate briefings' and claims 'implied without evidence' in their actions and story. "There is no criticism or doubt expressed regarding my version of events. "I'm relieved that the report acknowledges that the previously denied 4th March 2020 meeting did take place and was central to the matter, as well as that Twitter statements were published 'without evidence'. Ms Ghani said: "Sir Laurie's report is very clear that my evidence was credible and 'consistent'. In a statement after the publication of the report by the government's independent ethics adviser, Nusrat Ghani has spoken of the pain of allegedly hearing that "her faith and identity" was the reason her ministerial career was ending, and paid tribute to her Conservative colleagues for their support during the probe. "But there's no doubt of course the last 24 hours have been challenging." "We are a strong party, we've got a strong message, a good track record of delivery as a government, and that's why I want to get back to talking about the priorities of the Scottish people. ![]() ![]() "Our party is not built on one person or indeed one or two people. "But we've got a new leader, there'll be a new chief executive of the party. Mr Yousaf said: "There's no getting away from that fact that it's a difficult 24 hours after quite a challenging election contest, as election contests tend to be. Mr Murrell was arrested yesterday morning amid a probe into the SNP's finances and was released last night without charge. The new Scottish first minister described the last 24 hours since Nicola Sturgeon's husband was arrested as "challenging", but added that the party is more than "one or two people". Humza Yousaf has denied claims that the SNP is "in cahoots" with police over the timing of the arrest of former chief executive Peter Murrell, and labelled such claims a "conspiracy theory".
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |