YASMIN Qureshi MP has criticised the appointment of Trevor Philips to provide support into an inquiry on disproportionate BAME deaths due to covid-19.

The Bolton South MP said she was “shocked and troubled” to learn that Mr Philips had been appointed, as he has been suspended from the Labour Party due to Islamophobic remarks.

In the letter to Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, she said that to appoint Mr Philips undermined the "credibility and integrity" of the review from the outset.

Shadow equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova had earlier said the disproportionate number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) doctors who had died was “deeply disturbing”.

Ms Qureshi added that the issue is one that requires "urgent investigation", as she asked Mfr Selbie to urgently reconsider the appointment of Mr Philips.