PM Calls for Sacking of Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy
Sir Keir Starmer has urged Kemi Badenoch to remove Nick Timothy from his position as shadow justice secretary following his comments describing a mass Muslim public prayer as an "act of domination and division."
Timothy’s remarks referred to the prayers held during an open iftar event in London's Trafalgar Square on Monday.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir pressed Badenoch to condemn Timothy's social media statements, asserting they revealed a "problem with Muslims" within her party.
Badenoch defended Timothy, stating he was "defending British values." A spokesperson for the Conservative leader explained that Timothy’s comments were based on footage showing segregated male participants praying at the event.
Details of the Trafalgar Square Open Iftar Event
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was among thousands attending the open iftar in Trafalgar Square, organised by the Ramadan Tent Project, which aims to foster improved relations among diverse communities.
The charity has hosted approximately 20 open iftar meals nationwide this year under the theme of hope.
An iftar is a meal shared at the end of a day of fasting during Ramadan, with prayers commonly performed before or during the meal.
Nick Timothy’s Social Media Post
On X, Timothy stated:
"Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination."
"Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions."
The Prime Minister characterised Timothy’s comments as "straight from the Islamist playbook." He added at PMQs:
"If he was in my team, he'd be gone. It's utterly appalling. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him."
Badenoch’s Response and Political Exchanges
Badenoch responded by asserting Timothy was "defending British values" rather than "abolishing jury trials," drawing a comparison with Justice Secretary David Lammy’s reform proposals.
She told the Prime Minister:
"I know who I would rather have sitting on the front bench next to me, and it's not him."
Sir Keir countered by accusing the Conservatives of aligning with far-right activist Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon):
"Even Tommy Robinson, I can hardly believe I'm saying this, has said today that if the shadow justice secretary had made these hateful comments two years ago the Conservative Party would have kicked him out.
Tommy Robinson isn't some sort of moral signpost, he was pointing out how much their party has changed. They're more inclined to his views, and he's right about that. The fact he's sitting on her front bench shows she's too weak and has got absolutely no judgement."
Full Text of Timothy’s Post on X
Timothy’s complete post read:
"Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.
The Adhan - which declares there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger - is, when called in a public place, a declaration of domination.
Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.
And given their explicit repudiation of Christianity they certainly do not belong in our churches and cathedrals.
I am not suggesting everybody at Trafalgar Square last night is an Islamist. But the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook.
Trafalgar Square belongs to all of us. It is a national memorial to our independence and our salvation.
Last night was not like a televised football match or a St Patrick's Day celebration. It was an act of domination and therefore division."
Sir Keir’s Comments in the Commons
In the House of Commons, Sir Keir stated:
"When I see religious events in Trafalgar Square, when I see Hindus celebrating Diwali, when I see Jews celebrating Chanukah live, when I see Christians performing the Passion of the Christ, or Muslims praying, that shows the great strength of our diverse city and country.
I've never heard her party call out anything other than the Muslim events. It's only when Muslims are praying. The only conclusion is the Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims."
Conservative Party’s Position and Spokesperson Statement
A spokesperson for Badenoch affirmed her support for Timothy, stating:
"The Conservative Party believes in British values and those British values mean we are an open and tolerant society, but with boundaries.
And freedom of religion does not mean the freedom to do anything. It comes with responsibilities.
People are free to practise their faith but that practice does not require exclusionary use of our shared civic spaces. That is not about worship. It becomes something else which undermines social cohesion. So that is where we draw the line. And that is what Nick Timothy was talking about."
The spokesperson acknowledged there was no direct evidence that women were specifically excluded but noted that images showed women positioned "outside the barriers," indicating an "exclusionary" nature.
When asked whether a Conservative government would ban single-sex gatherings, the spokesperson declined to confirm, emphasizing the principle against public events excluding women.
He also rejected claims that the Conservatives were targeting one religion, citing that the party had appointed the first Muslim chancellor and the first Muslim home secretary.
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