KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has denied claims that he is involved in a plot to oust party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The denial comes after a blogger alleged that two Umno vice-presidents were part of a group of leaders who met in London in the past couple of weeks to plot Zahid's downfall.
Though the blogger did not name anyone, some social media users were quick to point fingers at Ismail Sabri and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Neither Ismail Sabri nor Mahdzir are part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's cabinet, while another vice-president, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, is the higher education minister.
Ismail Sabri said insinuations that he was involved in the plot, nicknamed the "London Move", were aimed at tarnishing his reputation in Umno.
"I strongly deny it (claims of involvement in the plot). These are malicious lies," he said.
The Bera member of parliament said he was on holiday with his family in the United Arab Emirates between Dec 22 and Jan 3.
"I have not said much since the general election, I have not said anything about Umno or the government. And the reason for this is to avoid any kind of speculation or slander," he told FMT.
Last November, Ismail denied holding discussions with several Barisan Nasional and Pas leaders at the Tropicana Golf & Country Resort.
At the time, the former prime minister had said he was only meeting friends who served in his administration.