Conservative MP accused of racism after allegedly mixing up Nadhim Zahawi and Sajid Javid

Conservative MP James Gray has been asked to step back from his public activities with St John Ambulance after he allegedly confused two ministers at a parliamentary reception.

According to Mail Online, the MP for North Wiltshire, allegedly mixed up then-vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi with Sajid Javid, the health secretary, when introducing the former, before allegedly stating: “They all look the same to me.”

Mr Zahawi was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Kurdish parents. At the age of nine, he and his family fled to the UK from Iraq in 1976.

Mr Javid was born in Rochdale to Pakistani immigrant parents.

Mr Zahawi is alleged to have spoken with Mr Gray about his comments afterwards.

Mr Gray has denied both the conversation with Mr Zahawi and the remarks themselves.

The incident is said to have occurred at a September 8 reception hosted by Mr Gray to celebrate the efforts of St John Ambulance staff and volunteers during the pandemic.

The Telegraph have reported that a spokesman for St John Ambulance have said they had requested Mr Gray step back from his “public-facing charity activities for the time being to reflect on the incident”.

When asked for comment by Mail Online on Monday, Mr Gray claimed Mr Zahawi and Mr Javid were friends of his, and denied both accusations of racism and the remarks.

However, he did reportedly admit that he had confused the pair, claiming that they “look very alike” and apologised for mixing them up.

This comes just weeks after Mr Gray apologised for joking about planting “a bomb” in the office of the Labour party chair Anneliese Dodds.