BARONESS Warsi, a former Conservative Party chairwoman, has resigned from the party in the House of Lords, claiming it has shifted too far to the right.
She was the first Muslim woman to serve in the British cabinet under David Cameron’s government.
According to the BBC, Baroness Warsi cited "hypocrisy and double standards" in the party’s treatment of different communities as reasons for her decision.
However, the Conservative Party stated that she was informed earlier this week that an investigation into her use of "divisive language" was about to begin.
The complaint against her is related to her support for Marieha Hussain, who was acquitted of a racially aggravated public order offence.
Hussain had held a placard during a pro-Palestine protest depicting Conservative leader Rishi Sunak and former home secretary Suella Braverman as coconuts.
Baroness Warsi had publicly congratulated Hussain on her acquittal and was later asked to retract her support, which she refused to do.
Baroness Warsi said the complaint was to be handled privately, and she felt it was appropriate to resign and address the matter openly. She expressed disappointment in the direction the Conservative Party has taken, stating that it has moved "far right."
She added that she remains a Conservative at heart but is no longer aligned with the current party.
Baroness Warsi has previously been critical of the party’s handling of Islamophobia and the language used by some politicians, including Suella Braverman.
Her resignation comes ahead of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)