Nick Timothy vows to ‘not be silenced’ in furious Islam row | Politics | News
Discussion about iftar dinner intensified (Image: Getty)
Kemi Badenoch said she was “very disturbed to see women being pushed to the back” at a mass Muslim prayer event in Trafalgar Square and defended the “fantastic” Nick Timothy, saying religious celebrations should be “inclusive” and “respectful of British culture”.
The Conservative leader spoke out in defense of Shadow Justice Secretary Mr Timothy, who came under fire after condemning an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square on Monday, attended by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. Mr Timothy highlighted images showing Muslims praying as they celebrate the meal that breaks the Ramadan fast. “Mass prayers in public places are an act of domination,” he claimed, adding that “they are not welcome in public places and in our shared institutions.”
The intervention sparked anger from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Sadiq, who called for Kemi Badenoch to sack Mr Timothy.
But the Conservative Party justice chief said: “I will not be silenced. Workers are just showing that they cannot tell right from wrong. They will not stand up for our way of life. But we will.”
Ms Badenoch also said: “This is a country that believes in freedom of religion… This debate Nick is having is not about freedom of religion, it is about how religion is expressed in the shared public sphere and whether those expressions conform to the norms of British culture.” He said at an event to launch the Conservatives’ local election campaign.
“I, especially as a woman, an ethnic minority woman who grew up in a country where Islam is very visible, am deeply disturbed to see women being pushed to the back in the middle of Trafalgar Square.”
He said this was “not about preventing anyone of any religion from practicing their faith.”
“We want to see religious festivals in Trafalgar Square, but they need to be inclusive and also respectful of British culture.”
He said that sometimes means saying “actually no that’s probably too much.”
Sir Keir Starmer used Prime Minister’s Questions to call for Mr Timothy to be sacked, claiming the comments showed the Conservatives had a “problem with Muslims” and pressing Mr Badenoch to “condemn” them.
Sir Sadiq said in an interview with La Repubblica: “Muslims today, who will it be tomorrow? Jews? Who the next day? Hindus? This kind of mono-ethnic, mono-nationalist view that the conservatives have is a carbon copy of President Trump.”
“These guys are the pound shop President Trumps, they should be ashamed of themselves.
“I am heartbroken, saddened, angry and can understand why many British Muslims are frightened by what someone so senior and who wants to be Chancellor has said.
“But worryingly, its leader Kemi Badenoch, who wants to be prime minister, thinks it’s British values to exclude Muslims. He thinks it’s British values to respect each other.”
“Yes, we are a Christian country, but Christianity teaches us to love your neighbor.”
The Labor mayor added: “This kind of megaphone, not dog whistle, megaphone politics is a disservice and embarrassment to the Conservative Party, once a great party.”
In the House of Commons, Sir Keir continued: “When I see religious events in Trafalgar Square, when I see Hindus celebrating Diwali, when I see Jews celebrating Hanukkah live, when I see Christians performing the Passion of Christ or Muslims praying, it shows the great strength of our diverse city and country.
“I’ve never heard his party say anything other than Muslim-related incidents. It only happens when Muslims are praying. The only conclusion from this is that the Conservative Party has a problem with Muslims.”
At a campaign event on Wednesday evening, UK Reform Leader Nigel Farage echoed Mr Timothy’s comments, saying the event in Trafalgar Square was “a group of people, led by the appalling Sadiq Khan, seeking domination over our capital and our culture”.
He told an audience in Thurrock, Essex: “We will not give up everything that has been built over centuries, defended at the cost of great blood in two world wars, to make us a free and independent nation. We will not put up with this any longer.”
