A TORY politician hinted that student loans could be made compatible with Sharia law at a Somali community meeting yesterday.

Justine Greening, shadow minister for London, boasted the Conservatives may end up with more non-white MPs than Labour after the General Election and said the party was engaging with all groups in Britain.

She said Muslims should not face barriers to pursuing their education and said she would be happy to “have a look” at the possibility of making loans compatible with Islamic law.

She said: “I think we need to be looking at ways we can make sure everybody can play their role in our society across the country and that means removing barriers and making sure people can get to university.

“A loan shouldn't be a barrier for doing that, the only barrier should be whether they are academically good enough.”

She added: “I think we have engaged in a discussion and a debate with absolutely everybody. We will have more black and minority ethnic MPs after this election possibly than any other major party.

“We believe we could end up with more than Labour and the Lib Dems have none at all.”

Ms Greening spoke to residents at the recently-opened Somali Youth and Family Centre, based in a building under the railway arches in Stanley Road.

She fielded questions about healthcare and housing from a mostly female audience alongside Dr Rachel Joyce, the Conservative candidate for Harrow West.

Dr Joyce said: “I know what an amazing bunch of people the Somali community in Harrow are. I have met a lot of members of the Somali community on the doorsteps before.

“I know you are an integral part of Harrow but you also have your own particular needs.”