Keir Starmer has accused the Conservative Party of having “a problem with Muslims” following remarks by the shadow justice secretary about Sadiq Khan taking part in prayers in Trafalgar Square, which were described as “an act of domination.”
At the Prime Minister’s Questions session, Starmer called on Kemi Badenoch to sack Nick Timothy for posting a clip of Khan and other Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square on X.
Timothy wrote: “Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination,” adding that “the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook.”
Starmer confronted the opposition across the dispatch box on Wednesday, as Timothy sat near Badenoch on the frontbench.
He said: “He said last night that Muslims praying in public, including the mayor of London practising his faith, are not welcome. He described it as an act of domination, straight from the Islamist playbook. If he were in my team, he would be gone. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him.”
Starmer added: “When I see religious events in Trafalgar Square—Hindus celebrating Diwali, Jews celebrating Hanukkah, Christians performing the Passion of Christ, or Muslims praying—that shows the great strength of our diverse city and country. I have never seen her party call out anything other than the Muslim events. It is only when Muslims are praying that the only conclusion is the Tory party has a problem with Muslims.”
Read also on The New Daily Prime: Former UK MP Crispin Blunt faces four drug charges
Responding, Badenoch said the justice secretary, David Lammy, was abolishing jury trials, adding: “My shadow justice secretary is defending British values. I know who I would rather have sitting on the frontbench next to me.” She also pressed Starmer on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US.
Timothy, a former special adviser to Theresa May who was appointed by Badenoch in January, said he was not suggesting that everyone present at Trafalgar Square was an Islamist.
He was also accused of bigotry by Sayeeda Warsi, a former co-chair of the Conservative Party who resigned the Tory whip in 2024, citing concerns over double standards against minorities within the party.
Warsi said: “Too many are too polite to say this… but give your head a wobble, Nick! London rightly hosts Diwali, Vaisakhi, Chanukah, and in a few weeks, Easter celebrations. But this nonsense of singling out Muslims at an Iftar open to all Londoners as exceptional is just bigotry. Faith leaders must call out this nonsense from politicians who seem committed to causing hate and division.”
For more details, visit The New Daily Prime
