Sir Sadiq Khan has raised concerns about potential future targeting of Jews and Hindus by the Conservative Party following support for a frontbencher who made controversial remarks about Muslim prayers. Pressure is growing on Kemi Badenoch to remove Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he criticized a public Muslim prayer event in Trafalgar Square. The event, known as Open Iftar, is a regular gathering for worshippers of various faiths, but Timothy labeled the prayer as divisive and domineering.
The London Mayor criticized the Tory stance as a “megaphone dog whistle,” with Keir Starmer highlighting the party’s alleged issues with Muslims. Khan expressed disappointment and anger over the comments, stating that they resembled far-right rhetoric. He emphasized the importance of respecting all faiths and condemned the singling out of Muslims, calling it contrary to British values.
In response to a video of the prayer event featuring Sir Sadiq, Timothy reiterated his stance that such rituals should be confined to mosques rather than public spaces. Starmer added that the Conservative Party’s alignment with individuals like Tommy Robinson indicated a concerning trend. He urged Badenoch to denounce Timothy’s remarks and remove him from his position.
Badenoch defended Timothy, portraying his comments as a defense of British values and societal boundaries. The Prime Minister was criticized for allowing Timothy’s divisive views to persist. Starmer emphasized the strength of diversity showcased in public religious events and accused the Tories of selectively targeting Muslim practices.
A spokesperson for Badenoch clarified that Timothy’s objections stemmed from segregated prayer practices at the event, emphasizing the need for inclusive use of shared public spaces. The spokesperson highlighted the importance of upholding social cohesion and responsible religious practice. Asked about the presence of women at the event, the spokesperson noted that they were situated outside the designated prayer area.
