Anneliese Dodds MP, Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary, reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Cabinet Office inquiry into allegations of Islamophobia in Government, said:

“This inquiry is welcome, but doesn’t replace the need for an immediate investigation into whether the Chief Whip broke the ministerial code.

“After the Government’s shameful response yesterday to serious allegations of Islamophobia, we’ll only know that the Conservatives are finally beginning to take this issue seriously if Michael Fabricant has the whip removed for his appalling comments.

“In the midst of a cost of living crisis, the Government is once again having to spend its time investigating the behaviour of the PM and those around him.

“The Conservatives are incapable of leading the country.”