Badenoch backs MP’s post about Muslim ‘domination’ saying he is ‘defending British values’
Starmer demands Badenoch sack Nick Timothy over 'Act of Domination' Ramadan Iftar remarks
The Prime Minister has called for Kemi Badenoch to sack her shadow justice secretary after he described footage of an annual Ramadan Iftar event in London’s Trafalgar Square as an “act of domination and division”.
As Keir Starmer repeatedly refused to answer questions put to him about Lord Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein at PMQs, he instead called for the Tory Party leader to “denounce” Nick Timothy’s comments and dismiss him.
But responding, Badenoch instead said Timothy was “defending British values” rather than “abolishing jury trials”, drawing comparisons with Justice Secretary David Lammy.
“I know who I would rather have sitting on the front bench next to me, and it’s not him,” Badenoch added.
A spokesperson for the Tory leader later also defended her “British values” response and said Badenoch opposed the Muslim iftar event because women were excluded from the prayers inside the barriers.
Starmer then condemned her response saying: “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 a problem with Muslims.”
After the event at Trafalgar Square at the weekend, Timothy had posted on X on Tuesday: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.”
He continued: “Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.”
Footage showed Muslim men, including the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, taking part in prayers, but Timothy added:”Too many are too polite to say this.
“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. 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.”
Starmer said the issue s meant the Conservative Party had become aligned with Tommy Robinson, after the far-right activist,, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had posted in support of Timothy’s comments.
The PM said it showed the Tories had a “problem with Muslims”.
He added:”Her position is that the shadow justice secretary is defending British values when he says Muslims praying together in Trafalgar Square are not welcome.
“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 judgment.”
Badenoch’s spokesperson later said the Tories would be producing a report outlining their defence of “British values” later this year.
When Jewish News asked if Strictly Orthodox prayer at outdoor events such as the recent protests against the government’s education policies would now also be banned as a result of the fact that women were not joining in, the spokesperson suggested these events saw only a few people gathering.
A spokesman for Badenoch also said Timothy’s comments were based on footage showing segregated males praying at the event.
He said: “The Conservative Party believes in British values and those British values mean we are an open and 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 practice 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.”
Asked about other pictures showing women at the event, the spokesman said they were “outside the barriers”.
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