A Tory MP has tonight been urged to quit a role with St John Ambulance after mixing up two Asian government ministers at a reception for the charity.
James Gray, 66, who has been MP for North Wiltshire since 1997, confused Nadhim Zahawi and Sajid Javid - and was accused of saying the pair “look the same to me”.
He was speaking at a reception in Parliament to honour St John Ambulance, where he holds the role of “commander of charity”, when he mixed-up then Vaccines Minister Mr Zahawi and Health Secretary Mr Javid.
When his mistake was pointed out, he was claimed to have said to have told guests: “They all look the same to me” - something Mr Gray denies.
Fifty invited guests - who included Labour leader Keir Starmer - had been watching Mr Gray onstage when it is claimed he made the comment.
Mr Zahawi was said to have immediately had a private conversation with his fellow Tory MP following his remark.
What do you think to this story? Let us know in the comments
Mr Javid had not yet arrived when the incident happened, only turning up later for photos.
Mr Gray had been hosting the reception on September 8 to thank volunteers and frontline staff for their efforts during the Covid pandemic.
A St John Ambulance spokesman told the Mirror: “St John does not tolerate racism in any way, shape or form.
“We spoke with James Gray following the event about our values as an open, inclusive and progressive charity.”
The Mirror understands the charity had already asked the MP to “stand down from all St John Ambulance activity”.
Calls to Mr Gray’s mobile phone went to voicemail tonight.
But he told MailOnline he had not said, “They all look the same to me”, but admitted confusing the two ministers.
He added: “I said, ‘I am sorry to confuse the two of you. You two look very alike’. I said, ‘I am sorry if I got you two mixed up’.”
A source told the newspaper: "He acknowledged to the audience that his comments weren't appropriate but in a low-key, jokey way."
They added that many of the volunteers were upset by what happened.
