Appointments:IDS

The Conservatives have fought back against claims of racism with the appointment of their first Asian vice-chairman.

In his latest round of appointments, new party leader Iain Duncan Smith announced on Tuesday that Shailesh Vara, a solicitor, will take on one of the party's senior administration roles. The Ugandan-born Hindu, was beaten in the marginal seat of Northampton South in June.

The party has also announced the appointment of Mohammed Riaz, a former advisor to William Hague, to the Press Complaints Commission.

Appointments of Asian men to key Conservative roles signals an attempt by the party to fight claims of racism in its ranks.

An inquiry was ordered by Duncan Smith on Monday into reports that the former deputy leader of the Ku Klux Klan in the UK, Bill Binding, had joined the Conservatives shortly before the general election.

He also sacked Edgar Griffin from his campaign team during the leadership election after it was revealed he had links with the British National Party.

Duncan Smith said he would have "no truck with racists" and Binding would only remain in the party only if he rejected the "reprehensible and disgusting" views held by the KKK.