The Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has been facing calls to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he claimed an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square was ‘not welcome’
Kemi Badenoch has been accused of dragging the Tories “further into the gutter” after agreeing with her frontbencher who claimed Muslim prayers was an act of “domination”.
The Tory leader has been facing calls to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he claimed an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square was “not welcome”.
The London landmark regularly holds events for worshippers of all faiths, and has been hosting the Eid event since 2006. Despite this, Mr Timothy branded the public Muslim prayer as an “act of domination and division”.
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Having previously described her under-pressure colleague as “fantastic”, Ms Badenoch has now told Times Radio she agrees with him. She said: “I do think that specific event was a domination of a public space in a way that I’m not sure is acceptable. Some people might agree or disagree. Trafalgar Square has been host to all religions having lots of festivities but they need to be done in an inclusive way and this is really not about religion, it’s about culture. Islam is celebrated in many different ways in many different countries. I think we need to start explaining what we think the rules should be about public prayer.
“I think people are confused they don’t know when they agree or disagree they don’t know when the public prayer is fine and when it’s, you know, troublemakers using it as a way to send a signal and this is where we need to have a debate, and I want the Conservative Party to lead that debate. If there are people who disagree, they should say so. He is a Member of Parliament, he has a right to express his opinion, and that’s why I support him. He’s a great shadow justice Secretary.”
Responding, Anna Turley MP, Chair of the Labour Party, claimed the Tory leader should be “ashamed”. She said: “Kemi Badenoch is dragging the Conservative Party further and further into the gutter. Instead of doing the right thing and sacking her Shadow Justice Secretary, she’s now pushing his abhorrent views as her own. The Tories have now joined Reform by adopting Tommy Robinson endorsed views over Muslims peacefully praying in London. The majority of Brits – including many Conservatives – will rightly be appalled by it. They should be ashamed.”
Sharing a video of Monday’s prayers, which featured Sir Sadiq Khan, Mr Timothy had said: “Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.” Similar religious gatherings have long taken place in the capital, such as the Jewish celebration of Chanukah and Easter Sunday processions.


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