Sir Sadiq Khan has warned that Jews and Hindus could be the next targets of the Conservative Party after Kemi Badenoch stood by a frontbencher who made what the London Mayor called 'disgraceful' remarks about Muslim prayers. Pressure is mounting on Mrs Badenoch to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he criticised an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square, branding public Muslim prayer an 'act of domination and division'.
In an interview with La Repubblica, Sir Sadiq said: 'It’s Muslims today, who will it be tomorrow? Jewish people? Who the day after? Hindu people? This sort of mono-ethnic, mono-nationalistic view the Conservatives have is a carbon copy of President Trump. These guys are pound-shop President Trumps, they should be ashamed of themselves.' He questioned what was objectionable about Muslims celebrating their religion, saying such comments were what he would expect from the far right.
The London Mayor expressed his heartbreak and anger, and said he understood why many British Muslims are scared by someone so senior saying such things. He added: '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.'
At Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir Starmer said the comments meant the Conservative Party had aligned itself with Tommy Robinson, who posted support for Mr Timothy's views. He said: 'She appointed the shadow justice secretary. 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. If he was in my team, he’d be gone. It’s utterly appalling. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him.'
Mrs Badenoch defended Mr Timothy, saying he was 'defending British values'. A spokesman for her said his comments were based on footage showing segregated male prayers, adding: 'The Conservative Party believes in British values and those British values mean we are an open and tolerant society, but with boundaries. Freedom of religion does not mean the freedom to do anything. It comes with responsibilities.'
