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The Tories have still not moved on from the "era" of "f*** the Muslims", a former Conservative Party chairwoman declares today.

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi gave the withering verdict as she demanded an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in her own party.

The top peer also demanded Tory MP Zac Goldsmith is forced into "diversity training" after his "blatantly, delibately Islamophobic" campaign to be London mayor in 2016.

Writing in the Guardian, Baroness Warsi said "absolutely nothing tangible has happened" since cases such as a councillor calling Muslims "parasites" came to light.

Although individuals have had their membership suspended, the overall response has been "woefully inept", she wrote.

(Image: AdamBienkov/Twitter)

She said "absolutely nothing tangible has happened" since cases such as a councillor calling Muslims "parasites" came to light.

She added: "That attitude led me to ask ... backbench MPs at one meeting if they could assure me we would move on from the era of 'f*** the Muslims'.

"I think I got my point across. The current plan to tackle Islamophobia, however, is woefully inept."

Baroness Warsi said Conservatives should learn from Labour's handling of anti-Semitism allegations and not seek to use promises of action as a "fig leaf" to hide the true extent of the problem.

(Image: Leon Neal)

Lady Warsi's call comes after the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) complained that its own request for an inquiry had been ignored by Tory chairman Brandon Lewis and accused the party of "turning a blind eye" to the issue.

The MCB has compiled a dossier listing Conservative councillors and candidates who have been suspended or expelled following allegations of anti-Muslim prejudice.

It voiced concern about the tone of Zac Goldsmith's 2016 campaign for the London mayoralty, and about social media messages shared by Harrow East MP Bob Blackman - who has denied any allegation of anti-Muslim prejudice.

In an article for The Guardian, Lady Warsi said both Mr Goldsmith and Mr Blackman should receive "mandatory enrolment" on diversity training courses.

Mr Lewis's promise of voluntary courses for those who want them was "not enough", she said, warning: "The party needs to be proactive and change its culture."

"Words without action are at best flannel and at worst represent simple contempt," wrote Lady Warsi, who was the first female Muslim to attend Cabinet.

"So it's time for my party to set out its stall. Not only does justice need to be done, it needs to be seen to be done.

"There should be a forensic, wide-ranging and transparent inquiry into Islamophobia in the party. The process should be published, those who are found wanting should be publicly named and membership withdrawn.

"And it needs to be cathartic, allowing witnesses to come forward and tell their stories."