Boris Johnson could be told to go on a diversity training course instead of facing more severe sanctions for his comments over burkas, The Telegraph has learned.

The former Foreign Secretary is facing a formal investigation by the Conservative Party for comparing women wearing the burka to "letterboxes" and "bank robbers" in an article for The Telegraph.

It has prompted a furious backlash from Tory MPs who accused Brandon Lewis, the chairman of the Conservative Party, of mounting a "witch hunt" and attempting to "kneecap" Mr Johnson.

Senior Tory figures told The Telegraph that they do not expect Mr Johnson to be suspended or have the whip withdrawn. He is instead more likely to be told to go on a diversity course.

In an effort to defuse the row Mr Lewis has been calling critics of the disciplinary action directly in a bid to reassure them.

James Duddridge, a Tory MP, said on Twitter: "The Conservative Party has lost the plot if it thinks launching an investigation into Boris' comments is helpful. Some people just need to take a cold shower, calm down and have a holiday. Anything but hill walking."