Tory MPs criticise plans for memorial to Muslim soldiers who died in world wars

Exclusive: Marco Longhi and Jill Mortimer, allies of Lee Anderson, question Jeremy Hunt setting aside 1m for tribute

Tory MPs have privately criticised the government's decision to build a memorial for Muslims who died fighting for Britain in the two world wars.

In messages to a Conservative MPs' WhatsApp group seen by the Guardian, two Tory MPs elected in 2019 - Marco Longhi and Jill Mortimer - questioned why a memorial for Muslims was needed. The disclosure raises questions about the attitude towards Muslims in some sections of the Conservative party.