A top Tory at the centre of a racism probe has been put in charge of MPs' standards rules in a move by Boris Johnson branded "completely inappropriate".
Mark Spencer was shifted from his role as chief whip to Commons Leader as the Prime Minister launched a mini-reshuffle to distract from Tory chaos and partygate.
But Labour has lashed out at the decision after Mr Spencer faced claims by Tory MP Nusrat Ghani last month that she lost her job as a Transport Minister because her “Muslimness had been raised as an issue”.
Mr Spencer identified himself as the whip involved in Ms Ghani's complaint, but denied the claims, which he said were false and “defamatory”.
Downing Street then ordered the Cabinet Office to launch an investigation.
Conservative MP William Wragg has also accused his party’s whips of “blackmail” by threatening to withdraw funding from the constituencies of backbenchers who oppose the Government.
But now, as Commons Leader, Mr Spencer is supposed to represent MPs and has responsibility for standards.
Thangam Debbonaire, Labour’s Shadow Commons Leader, said: “It is completely inappropriate for the Prime Minister to appoint as leader of the House a man who faces an ongoing investigation into grotesque racism and who has been publicly accused of blackmail and threatening to withdraw investments for schools and hospitals unless MPs toe the line.
“This is just the latest in a long line of appointments that demonstrates this Government’s complete disregard for standards in politics.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid defended Mr Johnson's reshuffle on Tuesday, saying Mr Spencer “will do a very good job in the position he has been given” and the PM takes Islamophobia "very seriously"
Referring to complaints made by Ms Ghani, he said: “The investigation being referred to is being carried out by the Cabinet Office. Anyone being investigated would have nothing to do with the investigatory process itself. It is right that there is this investigation. These were serious allegations.
“It is also fair to put on the record that Mark, who is a friend and colleague, as well as Nusrat Ghani, who made the allegations and they are both friends and colleagues, that Mark has said that he doesn’t recognise any of those words that have been attributed to him. He is a friend and a colleague and I think he will do a very good job in the position he has been given.”
