Johnson to be investigated over his burka comments

Complaints that former foreign secretary broke Conservative Party’s code of conduct

Boris Johnson is to be investigated by an independent panel after complaints that his comments on the burka broke the Conservative Party’s code of conduct.

It is understood that the process is being triggered automatically after a number of complaints over the former foreign secretary compared Muslim women in face-covering veils to bank robbers or letter boxes.

The party declined to comment on the disciplinary procedure.

A spokesman said only: “The code of conduct process is strictly confidential.”

But party rules state formal complaints against Conservative representatives will be investigated “in a timely and confidential manner” by someone “with appropriate experience and no prior involvement in the complaint”.

“The investigation should be thorough, impartial and objective, and carried out with sensitivity and due respect for the rights of all parties concerned,” says the code of conduct.

News of the probe came as Mr Johnson was reprimanded for breaching rules for ex ministers by failing to seek advice before taking a job as a newspaper columnist after he left the Cabinet.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) said it was “unacceptable” that he signed a contract with the Daily Telegraph on July 12 – three days after quitting as foreign secretary – but did not ask for its advice on the propriety of the move until 14 days later, when it was public knowledge.

This was “a failure to comply with your duty” under the Government’s business appointment rules for former ministers, Acoba told Mr Johnson.

It was in his weekly Telegraph column that Mr Johnson made comments that sparked demands for an apology from a all sides of politics, including Theresa May, Tory chairman Brandon Lewis and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.

Mr Johnson, who is holidaying abroad, has made no response to demands for an apology or, so far, about the investigation.

But sources close to the Uxbridge MP made clear earlier this week that he stands by the article on Monday, in which he argued against a burka ban, but said the garment was “oppressive” and “ridiculous”.

Disciplinary action could see Mr Johnson suspended or even expelled from the party, but would risk igniting civil war among members who see him as its next leader.

A panel of at least three people, appointed by Mr Lewis, will include one independent member, a representative of the voluntary party and one nominated by the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee.

They will decide whether there is a potential breach of the code, which requires all party representatives to “encourage and foster respect and tolerance” and not to “use their position to bully, abuse, victimise, harass or unlawfully discriminate against others”.

Critics have accused Mr Johnson of using the row to win right-wing support in any future leadership battle.

A poll found 45% of voters thought he should apologise, while 48% thought he should not.

But supporters claim he is being targeted in an bid to ward off a possible challenge to Mrs May in the autumn, when Brexit talks come to a head.

The row has highlighted deep divisions within the party, with former attorney general Dominic Grieve saying he would quit the Tories if Mr Johnson became leader.

Picture: PA Wire Boris Johnson’s newspaper column sparked controversy.