The Conservatives have been accused of "denial, dismissal and deceit" over claims of Islamophobia in the party, as a dossier detailing allegations against more than 300 people was released.

The Muslim Council of Britain has submitted the document to the UK's human rights watchdog, alleging that the party has a "systemic and widespread" Islamophobia crisis.

It includes claims against MPs, party members, councillors and advisers to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The submission contains allegations against 16 MPs, one MEP, nine election candidates and 183 party members, according to the MCB.

It also repeats allegations of Islamophobia against the PM.


A spokeswoman for the Conservative Party insisted it has a "robust approach to discrimination of any kind" and said it "consistently takes decisive action" to deal with "any incidents of hatred, abuse or intimidation".

"We are holding an independent review which is looking at how we can improve our processes, to make sure that any instances are isolated, and that there are thorough processes in place to stamp them out as and when they occur."

The party has committed to holding an inquiry into all forms of discrimination within its ranks, but it has so far resisted calls for an independent inquiry into Islamophobia specifically.

Mr Johnson has said the party has a "zero-tolerance approach" to Islamophobia, but the MCB has said "this does not appear to be the case".

"There is no doubt that the Conservative Party has an Islamophobia crisis: it is institutional, systemic and widespread," its secretary general Harun Khan said.

"The party's response has been one of denial, dismissal and deceit.

"This results in clear discrimination against Muslims because of their religion.

"The absence of meaningful action by the Conservative Party despite the wealth of evidence makes it all the more important that the EHRC recognises the impact of this level of Islamophobia in our governing party, and takes swift action."

The MCB represents mosques, schools and charitable associations.

It first handed a dossier to the Equality and Human Rights Commission in May, detailing about 150 individuals it believes have displayed Islamophobia or made anti-Islam or anti-Muslim comments.

With regards to the PM, the dossier includes the "dehumanising and offensive" remarks in which he likened Muslim women who wear a veil to "bank robbers" and "letter boxes".

Mr Johnson apologised during the election campaign for "all the hurt and offence" that had been caused to the Muslim community by Islamophobia within the party.

Mr Khan criticised the EHRC for having "failed to give any response" to its first call for the watchdog to investigate last year.

:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

He wants the EHRC to now take "swift action" and said it was "extraordinary" that it had yet to do so.

A spokeswoman for the watchdog said it was still waiting for the Tories to reveal the terms of its inquiry while considering a decision.

"We are actively considering what, if any, action we may take in relation to the handling of Islamophobia and other discrimination within the Conservative Party," she said.

"We are also awaiting the final terms of reference of the party's independent review which we will consider as part of our decision making process."