Tory MP James Gray was tonight fighting for his political life after he declared two of his party's most senior Asian ministers Nadhim Zahawi and Sajid Javid 'look the same to me'.
The 66-year-old - who is 'commander of charity' at St John Ambulance - made the derogatory remark at an event he hosted at Parliament for the cause where both cabinet ministers were guests.
Honoured volunteers and frontline staff at the reception were stunned as the veteran MP for Wiltshire made the slur against the then Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment Mr Zahawi and Health Secretary Mr Javid.
The 50 invited guests - who also included Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer - had been watching Mr Gray onstage when he made the remark.
He mixed up Mr Zahawi, who has a distinctive white beard, and clean-shaven Mr Javid as he attempted to introduce the former to the audience on the Houses of Parliament's Terrace Pavillion as the Health Secretary.
When his error was pointed out to him, he was said to have told the guests: 'They all look the same to me'.
An eyewitness said Mr Zahawi immediately had a private conversation with him following the remarks.
Last night St John Ambulance asked Mr Gray to stand down from all charity activities with immediate effect.
It said: '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.'
Tonight Mr Gray insisted to MailOnline he had not said 'They all look the same to me,' but admitted confusing the two men with each other. He added they were also close, long-term friends of his.
He denied being racist and 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".'
Tory MP James Gray, Nadhim Zahawi and SJA chief exec Martin Houghton-Brown at the event
Health Secretary Sajid Javid poses with hero vounteers and staff at the thank-you reception
The comment could be a devastating blow to the Tory party, who have frequently been forced to deny there is any racism among members.
Just weeks ago he apologised for saying 'a bomb' should be planted in a female Labour politician's office.
On the eve of Labour's party conference in Brighton, he made the comment about Anneliese Dodds, the shadow women and equalities minister and Labour Party chair.
On the latest furore a source told MailOnline: 'Gray introduced Mr Zahawi to the stage as the Health Minister at the reception and made the remarks when corrected.
'He told the people in the room "They all look the same to me".
'He acknowledged to the audience that his comments weren't appropriate but in a low-key, jokey way.
Labour leader Keir Starmer spoke at the Parliament event as well as the two Tory ministers
Around 50 of the charity's volunteers and employees from across England, plus many of the charity's senior executives and trustees, met Members of Parliament and the House of Lords, along with other VIP guests
