A TORY minister who told a reporter they are "worried there might be peace in the Middle East" must be sacked by Rishi Sunak, the SNP have said.

Sky News deputy political editor Sam Coates reported that a Tory minister had told him of their concerns and the fact such an event could damage the party's electoral chances.

Coates said: "You hear extraordinary claims from Tory MPs including this one from a minister, who said to me that they are worried there might be peace in the Middle East and that might help Labour, because they are currently suffering because of what's going on in Gaza and that severing relationship between their traditional Muslim vote and that party.

"Extraordinary comments because we are in extraordinary times."

Brendan O'Hara, SNP foreign affairs spokesperson, said people in Scotland will be "disgusted" by the comments as he called on Sunak to launch an investigation and sack the minister responsible.

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He said: "The UK Government has repeatedly blocked SNP calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel and now it seems Tory ministers actively want to prevent a ceasefire in case it harms their electoral chances.

“People in Scotland will be disgusted by these comments, which show the values of Westminster couldn’t be further removed from Scotland, where the overwhelming majority want an immediate ceasefire now.

“A total of 30,000 children, women and men have been killed in Palestine and Tory ministers are more concerned about their electoral chances than securing peace. It’s shameful.

“Rishi Sunak must launch an investigation to identify and sack the minister responsible for these comments - and he must end his opposition to calling for an immediate ceasefire.

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“The SNP will continue to pile pressure on the UK Government to back an immediate ceasefire."

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said on Question Time on Thursday he has been "utterly ashamed" to have been part of the UK Parliament in recent months given the majority of MPs' reluctance to call for a ceasefire. 

It presents yet another problem for Sunak after prominent Tory donor Frank Hester - who has given at least £10 million to the party - was alleged to have made racist comments about Britain's first black female MP Diane Abbott.

He is reported to have said Abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and "should be shot". 

Sunak has come under pressure to ensure the donations are handed back.

Reports emerged on Thursday that Hester may have given as much as £5m over and above the declared £10m. This has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission.

Sunak is also facing a headache after James Heappey announced he would be quitting his role as Armed Forces Minister and as an MP.