Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused the Conservative Party of having “a problem with Muslims” after shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy described Muslim prayers in Trafalgar Square as “an act of domination”. During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Starmer called on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to sack Timothy over his remarks on social media platform X.
Timothy had shared a video of London Mayor Sadiq Khan joining other Muslims in prayer, writing: “Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.” He added that “the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook.” Timothy later doubled down, stating that the Islamic call to prayer (adhan) is “a declaration of domination” when performed publicly.
Starmer responded forcefully in the Commons, saying: “He said last night that Muslims praying in public, including the mayor of London practising his faith, are not welcome. If he were in my team he would be gone. She should denounce his comments and she should sack him.” The prime minister argued that the Conservative Party only criticises Muslim events, concluding: “The only conclusion is that the Tory party has got a problem with Muslims.”
Badenoch defended Timothy, claiming he was “defending British values”. However, the remarks have reignited controversy over alleged Islamophobia within the Conservative Party. Former Tory co-chair Sayeeda Warsi said she had received messages from Muslim Conservatives asking “where this is all heading”, adding that it “makes British Muslims feel they are not welcome any more”.
Islamic scholars criticised Timothy’s interpretation. Qari Assam, an imam who advised Theresa May’s government on Islamophobia, said the adhan is “a simple call to worship – an invitation”, not a declaration of control. He warned that such comments risk “singling out Muslims for practising what others are freely encouraged to do” and fuel “demonisation and anti-Muslim hostility”.
Professor Javed Khan, who served on a government working group on anti-Muslim hostility, suggested Timothy’s remarks could fall under the new definition of anti-Muslim hostility, though intent would need to be proven. Timothy has rejected the criticism, accusing former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve of “wilful misunderstanding”.
