Conservative MP Nus Ghani has welcomed the conclusions of a long-awaited report into claims a chief whip told her she was sacked due to concerns over her Muslim faith.
Ms Ghani, the current Business and Trade Minister, had claimed Tory MP Mark Spencer said her "Muslimness" was linked to her sacking as a minister in Boris Johnson's government in 2020.
On Thursday an inquiry by the Prime Minister's ethics adviser Laurie Magnus, cleared him of breaching the ministerial code, but was critical of Mr Spencer's actions as chief whip, referencing his "shortcomings" as he published a report into the claims.
Mr Magnus said he did not find a "clear failure" to uphold the ministerial code as he cited "inconclusive evidence" as to whether or not the remarks were made.
Ms Ghani said Mr Spencer would have to explain criticism of his "shortcomings" in the report.
Responding to the conclusion of the ethics adviser's investigation in to her sacking, Ms Ghani said: "Sir Laurie's report is very clear that my evidence was credible and consistent.
"I'm relieved that the report acknowledges that the previously denied 4th March 2020 meeting did take place and was central to the matter, as well as that Twitter statements were published 'without evidence'.
"There is no criticism or doubt expressed regarding my version of events. Others will have to explain the report noting the 'omissions', 'shortcomings', 'incomplete information', 'inaccurate briefings' and claims 'implied without evidence' in their actions and story.
"We all serve at the Prime Minister's choosing and there is no shame in a political career ending. But to be told your faith and identity is the reason for it cannot be acceptable in any way.
"The impact of being told this was devastating and my motivation in pursuing the complaint was to ensure it wasn't buried, but that it ended with me so that no other colleague would have to endure anything similar."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that no action will be taken against Mr Spencer "in the absence of clear evidence".
In the report, Mr Magnus said: "Despite a review of considerable evidence, it has not been possible to draw a clear picture of what was discussed between Mr Spencer and Ms Ghani during two meetings which both agree took place on 4th and 23rd March 2020.
“These discussions are central to the allegations made.
"Ms Ghani and Mr Spencer have differing accounts of these meetings, with different recollections of what was said. Each has provided evidence (including some contemporaneous notes) to support their respective accounts, but given the differing evidence presented to me, I am not able to conclude with sufficient confidence what was or was not said at these two meetings."
Both Conservative MPs at the centre of the row now serve in roles in Mr Sunak's government.
Mr Sunak wrote to Mr Magnus noting that the events surrounding the sacking had been an "unsatisfactory experience for both ministers involved".
"But in the absence of clear evidence, it would not be right to take further action," he wrote.
"I have spoken to both ministers and encouraged them to heed your advice to pull together in the finest tradition of public service."
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Afro%20salons
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
SANCTIONED
- Kirill Shamalov, Russia's youngest billionaire and previously married to Putin's daughter Katarina
- Petr Fradkov, head of recently sanctioned Promsvyazbank and son of former head of Russian Foreign Intelligence, the FSB.
- Denis Bortnikov, Deputy President of Russia's largest bank VTB. He is the son of Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB which was responsible for the poisoning of political activist Alexey Navalny in August 2020 with banned chemical agent novichok.
- Yury Slyusar, director of United Aircraft Corporation, a major aircraft manufacturer for the Russian military.
- Elena Aleksandrovna Georgieva, chair of the board of Novikombank, a state-owned defence conglomerate.
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
