LABOUR should hold an independent probe into claims it is institutionally Islamophobic, the Labour Muslim Network said today.

The call followed an explosive interview by Muslim Labour MP Zarah Sultana in which she said the party operated a hierarchy of racism, including “not taking Islamophobia and anti-black racism seriously at all.”

Speaking to Novara Media, Ms Sultana said that “Muslims are not seen through any lens except national security and foreign policy,” and that Labour officials frequently engaged in negative media briefings about Muslims.

Complaints from Muslim members of the party were completely dismissed, while constituency parties with a large Muslim membership were frequently placed in special measures.

Ms Sultana also complained that Labour whips have been unresponsive to her requests for a Commons office large enough to pray in and for leave to attend religious community events in her Coventry constituency.

Fellow Muslim Labour MP Apsana Begum said that Ms Sultana’s experiences “echo so much with my own. It’s so vital to stand up to Islamophobia.”

The Labour Muslim Network said: “We cannot stand by and allow racism to take control of our politics,” calling for an independent inquiry.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Labour is committed to tackling Islamophobia across society” and will “continue to robustly stand up for the rights of Muslims.”

But Ms Sultana responded: “I would appreciate it if the nameless spokesperson addressed the specific points I made — and if my party’s leadership reached out to me.”

Labour has been losing Muslim support hand over fist since it offered all-out support for Israeli war crimes in Gaza over the last month.