One of the foundations of the landslide Conservative victory last December was the claim that, under Boris Johnson, the party was open, outward-looking and modern.

The contrast was not just with Labour — it was also with the Conservative Party under Theresa May. The election has been won; the big question now is how — or whether — those qualities will be upheld in government.

A prerequisite is not merely zero tolerance of racism among members of the Conservative Party but an active stance against all racists, wherever they are found. In that regard, the participation this week of Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski in a conference in Rome provides an important test of Mr Johnson’s sincerity.

The conference was attended and addressed by a number of mainstream figures. But their presence cannot mask the fact that it also played host to others who promote unambiguously racist ideas.

As a private individual, Mr Kawczynski would be free to attend whatever events he wanted and fraternise with whoever he wished. But he is not — he is a Conservative MP.

By consorting with racists, in full knowledge of their presence, he sends a clear message that he believes their ideas are legitimate and respectable. The issue for the Conservative Party is, thus, simple.

If it fails to condemn his attendance at the conference, it condones it. And in doing that it endorses the idea that it is acceptable for representatives of the Conservative Party to share platforms with racists.

If Boris Johnson is sincere in his opposition to racism, he will discipline Mr Kawczynski. If he does not, he is not.