What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Muslim leaders last night called for a probe into Islamaphobia in the Tory Party, after David Cameron "smeared" a British Imam as an ISIS supporter.

The Prime Minister was forced into a half-apology last night , over his claim that Tooting cleric Suliman Gani supported the terror group.

But the the largest Muslim group in the UK today said Mr Cameron should go further.

The Muslim Council of Britain called for both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who repeated the claim on the radio over the weekend, to make formal retractions in the House of Commons.

And they said the Conservatives should launch an urgent probe into Islamophobia in the party.

(Image: Philip Coburn / Mirrorpix)

Secretary general Shuja Shafi said Imam Gani had been subjected to death threats since Mr Cameron's accusation.

He said: "I welcome the Prime Minister's long overdue apology to Imam Sulaiman Ghani, a London imam who has thus far been unable to challenge claims made in Parliament that he supports Daesh or terrorism.

"As a result of these smears, we understand that Imam Gani has been subject to abuse and threats on his life.

"I call on both the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary to make that apology in Parliament as well."

Mr Gani is in discussions with lawyers over his legal options.

Dr Shafi urged the Tory party to learn from the "disreputable" campaigning.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

He said: "Imam Ghani became the innocent casualty of a wider Islamophobic attack on the now mayor of London and the Conservative Party needs to apologise for this too.

"Such smear-by-association has become all too common for Muslims and Muslim organisations. It is a cancer blighting sections of our political and media class and has infected the solemn business of government.

"For the real extremists we are all opposed to, such tactics will only provide fresh new examples of a society not willing to accept Muslims for who they are.

Read more:David Cameron keeps accusing this British citizen of supporting ISIS - but did he?

"I also call for an urgent review of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party. Just as the Labour Party is rightly conducting an inquiry into anti-Semitism, it is important for the Conservative Party to reflect upon the extent of Islamophobia in its own ranks. We should have zero tolerance for both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

"We urge the Conservative Party to reflect and learn from this disreputable period of campaigning so that we can all draw a line and move on."

During an attack on then-London Mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan , Mr Cameron said: "Suliman Gani, Mr Khan has appeared on a platform with him nine times. This man supports IS."

Mr Gani says he has never supported IS, and now fears for his family's safety in light of the accusation.

Since making the statement, the Prime Minister's spokesperson has told the Mirror "The Prime Minister stands the comments he made" on several occasions.

In a half-apology, sneaked out at 7.30pm last night, the Prime Minister said he was referring to reports that Suliman Gani, a Conservative Party supporter, supported the concept of an Islamic State.

He added: "The Prime Minister is clear this does not mean Mr Ghani supports the organisation Daesh and he apologises to him for any misunderstanding."

Earlier, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was forced to apologise for repeating the claim on BBC Radio 4 over the weekend.