Tory Frontbencher Called Racist Prick Over Muslim Prayer Tweet

A Tory frontbencher has been accused of sounding “like a racist prick” as the backlash grows to his social media post about Muslim group prayer.

Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy attacked an open-air ceremony which took place in central London on Tuesday.

Among those who took part were Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, who is Muslim.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Timothy said: “Too many are too polite to say this. But mass public prayer in public places is an act of domination.”

His comments were welcomed by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.

At prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Keir Starmer called on Kemi Badenoch to sack Timothy from the shadow cabinet.

He said: “If he were in my team, he’d be gone. It’s utterly appalling. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him.”

Lib Dem MP Josh Babarinde also hit out at Timothy on X.

He said: “Too many are too polite to say this. But you sound like a racist prick. Praised by Tommy Robinson, too. You must be so proud.”

Sadiq Khan also hit back at the Tory frontbencher in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, calling him a “pound shop President Trump”.

He said: “I’m heartbroken, I’m sad, I’m angry, and I can understand why many British Muslims are scared by somebody, who is so senior, who wants to be the Lord Chancellor, saying what he said.

“But worryingly, his leader, somebody who wants to be the prime minister, Kemi Badenoch, thinking it is British values to single out Muslims. It is British values to respect each other.

“Yes, we’re a Christian country, but Christianity teaches us to love thy neighbour.”

He added: “This sort of megaphone, not dog whistle, megaphone policy is a disservice and disgrace to the Conservative Party, a once great party.”