Row over Ramadan prayers in London flares up as Labour makes demand | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A row over Ramadan prayers in London’s Trafalgar Square has continued after Labour demanded Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch sack her Shadow Justice Secretary. Nick Timothy, the justice spokesman in Mrs Badenoch’s staff, had criticised an occasion within the coronary heart of London, which was attended by metropolis mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.

Mr Khan had attended an Iftar, a meal eaten at sundown to interrupt the quick throughout Ramadan. Speaking on the occasion earlier within the week, Sir Sadiq hailed the “power of being Muslim” as he addressed hundreds on the “biggest Iftar in the Western world” in Trafalgar Square.

Mr Timothy posted a video on X/Twitter exhibiting Mr Khan and others praying, and he mentioned within the submit: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.”

He went on to say: “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.”

Labour Party chair Anna Turley has now written to Mrs Badenoch demanding that she sack Mr Timothy.

Ms Turley mentioned in her letter: “It is utterly appalling to say that Muslims praying in public are not welcome. Religious events in Trafalgar Square, including Hindus celebrating Diwali, Jews celebrating Chanukah, Christians performing the Passion of Christ, or Muslims praying, show the great strength of our diverse city and country. The Conservatives have not complained about anything other than Muslim events: it seems your party has a problem with Muslims.”

And she advised Mrs Badenoch: “I urge you to show leadership and sack Nick Timothy today. Failing to do so will show the appalling depths to which you are allowing your Conservative Party to sink.”

It got here after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raised the problem in Parliament.

Mrs Badenoch mentioned Mr Timothy was “defending British values” quite than “abolishing jury trials”, drawing comparisons with Labour Justice Secretary David Lammy.

“I know who I would rather have sitting on the front bench next to me, and it’s not him,” Mrs Badenoch mentioned.

A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch mentioned Mr Timothy’s feedback had been based mostly on footage exhibiting segregated males praying on the occasion.

He mentioned: “The Conservative Party believes in British values and those British values mean we are an 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 practise 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 different photos exhibiting girls on the occasion, the spokesman mentioned they had been “outside the barriers”.

In a submit on X following the occasion, Sir Sadiq mentioned: “Community isn’t just where we live, it’s how we look after one another.

“Tonight, people of all faiths, races and backgrounds came together in the heart of our capital to break their fasts at Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftar.

“There’s always a place at the table in this city.”