Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has defended her shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, after he described Islamic prayers in public as an 'act of domination'. The row began when Timothy posted images of a Ramadan event in London's Trafalgar Square, claiming mass prayer in public places was 'straight from the Islamist playbook'.
Speaking after a speech to launch the Conservatives' local election campaign in London, Badenoch said the debate was not about freedom of religion, but about how religion is expressed in shared public spaces. She stated that religious expressions must fit within the norms of British culture and be inclusive.
Badenoch, who grew up in a country where Islam was very visible, expressed discomfort at seeing women pushed to the back during prayers in Trafalgar Square. However, she did not clarify whether this referred to separate prayers or other aspects of the event, and her spokesperson did not respond to requests for clarification.
The Open Iftar event, which has taken place in Trafalgar Square for six years without previous criticism, was the last of 18 such events across the country. Organisers' photographs showed no separation beyond the prayers, with men and women pictured together.
Labour chair Anna Turley condemned the comments, saying the Tories had joined Reform in the 'gutter' by adopting views endorsed by Tommy Robinson. She accused Badenoch of lacking backbone and failing to sack Timothy over his 'despicable comments on Muslims'.
