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Death threats, said the Muslim Labour MP. “Threats of ­physical violence, general abuse, obvious racist language, all the usual,” I was told.

The MP added: “That’s only because I tweeted about my local NHS.”

Islamophobia is rife. But not, according to the Tory Party, in the Tory Party.

It depends who you ask. Baroness Warsi, first Muslim woman in the Cabinet, said: “In my party there are almost weekly occurrences of Islamo­­phobic incidents and rhetoric.”

But James Cleverly, Tory deputy chair, said: “I don’t agree with that as an assessment.”

(Image: Getty)

The Muslim Council of Britain has twice called for a report into Islamophobia in the Tory Party. But party officials deny any problem.

Really? Just this week the Tories took control of Pendle council after ­reinstating a candidate who shared a racist post on social media comparing an Asian person to a dog.

It’s the latest episode in a dismal tale.

April 5: A Calderdale councillor calls Muslims “parasites” and resigns.

April 20: A candidate in Watford is suspended over support for far-right extremists.

April 24: Isleworth candidate stands down after calling on the Government to “revoke Muslim immigration”.

April 27: Newcastle ­candidate is ­suspended for vile anti-Islam tweets. Then there’s the Wakefield ­candidate dropped for saying “it’s f***ing Karachi round here”.

(Image: PA)

And a Tory in Enfield was suspended for ­sharing a picture showing ­bacon ­hanging from a door, captioned: “Protect your house from terrorism.”

Isn’t this just local politics? No. In March, MP Bob Blackman apologised for sharing a Facebook post from a hardline US anti-Muslim site.

His fellow Tory MP Philip Hollobone called the burka “the ­religious equivalent of going around with a bag over your head with holes for eyes”.

David Cameron and Michael Fallon both had to ­apologise to a South London imam for ­linking him to Islamic State. And Zac Goldsmith’s London mayoral campaign was ­described by his own side as doing ­lasting harm to Tory ­relationships with Muslims in the ­capital.

But still the Conservatives deny Islamophobia is an issue.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

This week, party chairman Brandon Lewis ruled out a review, simply saying ­action is taken against any offenders.

But this is treating the symptoms, not the disease.

Muslim leaders are concerned this toxic culture runs from the grass roots to the top. What is needed is a swift, fair, independent review into Islamophobia in the Tory party.

Labour have admitted they have not been good enough around anti-­semitism. They have ­acknowledged the problem and the hurt it has caused – even though it took too long.

The party ordered an independent report, met community leaders and vowed to tackle extremism.

The Tories must do the same. And quickly. Theresa May needs to stop ­denying her party has a problem and start tackling it.

Or the party that created the hostile environment for immigrants is in ­danger of creating a welcoming ­environment for racists.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Spider fan should ban pet Cronus

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson revealed he was missing his pet tarantula Cronus, who he used to keep in his parliamentary office.

He said: “You can never replace a pet. But he is very happily spending this time in Staffordshire following Easter and no doubt will be back down in the Commons at some point when I next bring him down.”

No, Gavin. Leave him there. We’re fine for poisonous creatures.

Days & confused Vince

Information came through from the Lib Dems telling us Vince Cable would cast his local election vote at 11am on Thursday, May 4. Trouble is, Thursday was May 3. Maybe disinformation was the key to their local election success.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Poll that gave UKIP last rites

The local elections are over, although not many people knew they had even begun.

People went to the polls on Thursday and, to be brutally frank, not a lot happened.

Labour did well in big cities such as Plymouth but not as well as they hoped in London. The Conservatives thought they were in for a kicking but Ukip deserters kept them going.

Below, we gather the reactions from the main parties as they try to spin this week’s happenings in their favour.

Conservatives: Not bad but could have done better? “I wouldn’t say that.” Labour: You didn’t do as well as expected, did you? “I wouldn’t say that.”

Lib Dems: Easy to perform above expectations when there aren’t any. “I wouldn’t say that.”

Ukip: Total wipeout. This time it’s the end.

“Erm...”