Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BORIS BURKA SLURS PROBE
Secretive panel will rule over MP’S fate
BORIS Johnson’s vile burka jibes will be investigated by a secretive Tory disciplinary panel.
The Conservative Party has been inundated with complaints about the former Foreign Secretary comparing veiled Muslim women to letter boxes and bank robbers.
His remarks have been slammed by at least 15 top Tories, with some describing them as racist.
The code of conduct panel will decide if there has been a breach and could recommend he be expelled.
The code requires MPS to “encourage and foster respect and tolerance” and not “unlawfully discriminate against others”.
The panel will report to party chairman Brandon Lewis but the final decision on any sanction could go to Mrs May or to the party’s board.
A Tory spokesman would only say: “The process is strictly confidential.”
Mr Johnson, who is on holiday, had last night still not apologised nearly five days after his comments appeared in his Daily Telegraph column. A watchdog yesterday announced he broke ministerial rules for joining the paper within three months of leaving office. Advisory Committee on Business Appointments chair Baroness Browning said: “The committee considers it to be unacceptable.” Mr Johnson told ACOBA he did not know of his obligations until after he signed the contract.
He was last night sent a message of support by far-right party Britain First. It said in an email: “Boris is simply stating the truth.”
Protesters last night gathered in his constituency to demand he step down. Azmat Parveen, 68, who was wearing her burka, said: “This is a way of life. What he said is painful.”
Counter-protesters stood opposite shouting “we love Boris” and “Oh Tommy, Tommy Robinson”.