The equalities watchdog could launch its own investigation into Tory Islamophobia in the wake of bombshell claims a minister was sacked because of her "Muslimness".
Boris Johnson on Monday ordered a Cabinet Office probe into allegations by Nusrat Ghani, who says Government whips told her she was fired from her role as transport minister in a 2020 reshuffle as her Muslim faith made colleagues "uncomfortable".
Now, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said it will "consider any findings" from Whitehall investigators and if "not satisfied", the body "does not rule out" legal enforcement.
The Mirror has learned that could include a new and major investigation into the party overall, similar to that the EHRC conducted into Labour anti-Semitism during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.
The EHRC dropped plans for a probe into the Tories in 2020 after the Prime Minister ordered an independent investigation by Professor Swaran Singh.
That followed widespread reports of anti-Muslim sentiment among activists and after the PM himself been accused of Islamophobia after an article in which he compared Muslim women wearing the burka to "letterboxes" or "bank robbers".
Last year, Prof Singh recommended an overhaul of the complaints system but dismissed claims of "institutional racism", saying he did not find any evidence of systemic prejudice.
But the row over Ms Ghani's position in government has reignited calls for the EHRC, which is already monitoring the party's response to the Singh report, to step in.
A spokeswoman said: “Discrimination is unacceptable in all workplaces, whether in the private sector or in government. Allegations of discrimination should be treated seriously by employers, and we welcome the announcement that the Cabinet Office are doing so.
“We have been monitoring the progress of the action plan from Professor Swaran Singh’s independent investigation into alleged discrimination within the Conservative and Unionist Party, which was published in May 2021. We have received regular updates from the Party and have liaised with them on their progress.
"We will consider any findings from the Cabinet Office inquiry. If we are not satisfied with progress, we will not rule out the use of our legal powers.”
Ms Ghani, the MP for Wealden, told the Sunday Times she was informed of the reasons behind her sacking in 2020 by a whip.
She said: "I was told that at the reshuffle meeting in Downing Street that ‘Muslimness’ was raised as an ‘issue’, that my ‘Muslim women minister’ status was making colleagues uncomfortable and there were concerns ‘that I wasn’t loyal to the party as I didn’t do enough to defend it against Islamophobia allegations’."
The Prime Minister said on Monday he took the claims "extremely seriously" and had asked the Cabinet Office to look into the matter.
He told broadcasters: We take these allegations extremely seriously, I took them very seriously when they were raised with me 18 months ago… very glad there’s an investigation taking place now."
Nick Lowles, chief executive of the anti-racism campaign Hope Not Hate, is among those who has been pressuring the EHRC.
He said on Monday: “What Nus Ghani has been through is beyond reprehensible. While it is welcome that this incident is being investigated by the Cabinet Office, Ghani’s story is just one episode in the sorry tale of deep-rooted Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.
“After years of reported incidents and campaigning on the issue, it is simply disgusting that Islamophobia within the party of Government has still not been addressed. It is now time for the EHRC to step in and take action, because as we have repeatedly pointed out, Islamophobia runs right through the Conservative party, from its grassroots activists to its most senior figures."
The campaign boss said anti-Muslim sentiment had "real life consequences" and led to hate crime in society more generally.
He said: “The Conservative party has allowed a culture of Islamophobia to fester, not only within its ranks, but in society at large.
"Despite being given every opportunity to address the prejudice and discrimination faced by Muslim communities across the country, time and time again, we have seen the majority of the Conservative Party lack the political will to take the problem seriously. Enough is enough.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who who led a Holyrood inquiry into Islamophobia in Scotland, added: “We can’t have acceptable forms of prejudice.
“So there’s a direct challenge to the Conservative Party, if they are serious about written prejudice and hate in all these forms, then they should apply themselves to the exact same measure we apply ourselves to, which is to refer them to the Equality and Human Rights Commission for there be a full independent investigation for independent recommendations to be made and for those independent recommendations to be implemented.
“Anything less than that, I think, would stink of a cover-up.”
Chief Whip Mark Spencer confirmed on Sunday he had spoken to Ms Ghani in 2020, but strongly denied making the alleged comments saying the claims were “completely false” and “defamatory”.
Ms Ghani has welcomed the Cabinet Office inquiry announcement on Monday, adding: “The terms of reference for the inquiry must include all that was said in Downing Street and by the whip."
