Starmer claims Tory party has ‘problem with Muslims’ in PMQs address

PM calls on Kemi Badenoch to sack Nick Timothy after his post on X describing public prayers as ‘act of domination’

Keir Starmer has claimed the Conservative party “has a problem with Muslims” after the shadow justice secretary described an event where the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, joined others to pray in Trafalgar Square as “an act of domination”.

During PMQs, the prime minister urged Kemi Badenoch to sack Nick Timothy over a post on X in which he shared a clip of Khan and other Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square.

“Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination,” tweeted Timothy, who went on to say “the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook”.

Starmer went on the offensive across the dispatch box on Wednesday as Timothy sat a few feet from Badenoch on her frontbench.

“He said last night that Muslims praying in public, including the mayor of London practising his faith, are not welcome. He described it as an act of domination, straight from the Islamist playbook,” the prime minister said.

“If he were in my team he would be gone. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him.”

Badenoch did not engage with the criticism, but pressed Starmer over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US.

Starmer said the far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson had suggested the Conservative party had changed to the point where those in its senior ranks were “more inclined to his view.”

“When I see religious events in Trafalgar Square, when I see Hindus celebrating Diwali, when I see Jews celebrating Hanukkah, when I see Christians performing the Passion of Christ, or Muslims praying … that shows the great strength of our diverse city and country,” Starmer added.

“I have never seen her party call out anything other than the Muslim events. It is only when Muslims are praying … the only conclusion is that the Tory party has got a problem with Muslims.”

In her response, Badenoch told Starmer that the justice secretary, David Lammy, was abolishing jury trials, adding: “My shadow justice secretary is defending British values. I know who I would rather have sitting on the frontbench next to me.”

Timothy referred in his tweet to the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, telling his 82,000 followers on X: “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.

“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.”

Timothy, a former special adviser to Theresa May who was appointed by Badenoch in January, added that he was not suggesting everybody at Trafalgar Square last night was an Islamist.

Timothy was also accused of bigotry by Sayeeda Warsi, a former co-chair of the Conservative party who resigned the Tory whip in 2024, citing concerns of double standards against minorities within the party.

Warsi said: “Too many are too polite to say this … but give your head a wobble Nick! London rightly hosts Diwali, Vaisakhi, Chanukah and in a few weeks Easter celebrations. But this nonsense of singling out Muslims at an Iftar open to all Londoners as exceptional is just bigotry.

“Faith leaders must call out this nonsense from politicians who seem committed to causing hate and division.”

Khan has not responded publicly to Timothy, but on Tuesday shared pictures on X of religious gatherings in central London, stating: “Here’s an Iftar (post-fast meal) in Trafalgar Square. And here’s Easter, Diwali, Vaisakhi and Chanukah. London is, and will always be, a place for everyone. #UnityOverDivision”.