Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered a Cabinet Office inquiry into claims made by a Muslim MP who says her faith was given as a reason for her sacking as a minister in 2020.

Nusrat Ghani said a government whip told her “Muslimness was raised as an issue”.

The Conservative MP welcomed the inquiry, saying all she wanted was for the matter to be taken seriously.

Conservative Chief Whip Mark Spencer said the claims were completely false.

He said Ms Ghani was referring to him and that he considered her allegations to be defamatory.