Nus Ghani said Mark Spencer should explain the 'shortcomings' found in the report. Reuters
Nus Ghani said Mark Spencer should explain the 'shortcomings' found in the report. Reuters
Nus Ghani said Mark Spencer should explain the 'shortcomings' found in the report. Reuters
Nus Ghani said Mark Spencer should explain the 'shortcomings' found in the report. Reuters

Nus Ghani welcomes report into 'Muslimness' sacking


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Conservative MP Nus Ghani has welcomed the conclusions of a long-awaited report into claims a chief whip told her she was sacked due to concerns over her Muslim faith.

Ms Ghani, the current Business and Trade Minister, had claimed Tory MP Mark Spencer said her "Muslimness" was linked to her sacking as a minister in Boris Johnson's government in 2020.

On Thursday an inquiry by the Prime Minister's ethics adviser Laurie Magnus, cleared him of breaching the ministerial code, but was critical of Mr Spencer's actions as chief whip, referencing his "shortcomings" as he published a report into the claims.

Mr Magnus said he did not find a "clear failure" to uphold the ministerial code as he cited "inconclusive evidence" as to whether or not the remarks were made.

Ms Ghani said Mr Spencer would have to explain criticism of his "shortcomings" in the report.

Responding to the conclusion of the ethics adviser's investigation in to her sacking, Ms Ghani said: "Sir Laurie's report is very clear that my evidence was credible and consistent.

"I'm relieved that the report acknowledges that the previously denied 4th March 2020 meeting did take place and was central to the matter, as well as that Twitter statements were published 'without evidence'.

"There is no criticism or doubt expressed regarding my version of events. Others will have to explain the report noting the 'omissions', 'shortcomings', 'incomplete information', 'inaccurate briefings' and claims 'implied without evidence' in their actions and story.

"We all serve at the Prime Minister's choosing and there is no shame in a political career ending. But to be told your faith and identity is the reason for it cannot be acceptable in any way.

"The impact of being told this was devastating and my motivation in pursuing the complaint was to ensure it wasn't buried, but that it ended with me so that no other colleague would have to endure anything similar."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that no action will be taken against Mr Spencer "in the absence of clear evidence".

Mark Spencer was cleared of breaching the ministerial code. Bloomberg
Mark Spencer was cleared of breaching the ministerial code. Bloomberg

In the report, Mr Magnus said: "Despite a review of considerable evidence, it has not been possible to draw a clear picture of what was discussed between Mr Spencer and Ms Ghani during two meetings which both agree took place on 4th and 23rd March 2020.

“These discussions are central to the allegations made.

"Ms Ghani and Mr Spencer have differing accounts of these meetings, with different recollections of what was said. Each has provided evidence (including some contemporaneous notes) to support their respective accounts, but given the differing evidence presented to me, I am not able to conclude with sufficient confidence what was or was not said at these two meetings."

Both Conservative MPs at the centre of the row now serve in roles in Mr Sunak's government.

Mr Sunak wrote to Mr Magnus noting that the events surrounding the sacking had been an "unsatisfactory experience for both ministers involved".

"But in the absence of clear evidence, it would not be right to take further action," he wrote.

"I have spoken to both ministers and encouraged them to heed your advice to pull together in the finest tradition of public service."

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MATCH INFO

Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

MATCH INFO

RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')

Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)

Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

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March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi

Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company

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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed

SPECS
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MATCH INFO

Brescia 1 (Skrinia og, 76)

Inter Milan 2 (Martinez 33, Lukaku 63)

 

Updated: April 06, 2023, 2:47 PM