Tory Peer Accuses Nick Timothy of Instilling Fear Over Islamic Prayers
Conservative peer Tariq Ahmad has launched a scathing attack on shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy, accusing him of instilling fear among Muslims with his comments about public Islamic prayer. In an exclusive interview, Lord Ahmad revealed he has raised serious concerns with the party leadership and expects decisive action to be taken.
Divisive Comments Spark Outrage
Timothy had singled out an iftar event held in Trafalgar Square, where London Mayor Sadiq Khan and others participated in prayers, claiming such public Islamic displays were intimidating and un-British. I have known Nick for a long time and am deeply disappointed by his divisive comments, stated Lord Ahmad, who served as a minister under Theresa May and David Cameron. He needs to reflect carefully on his own words.
The peer emphasized that if Timothy aspires to become lord chancellor, he must uphold principles of equality and justice for all. That comes with that responsibility, Ahmad stressed, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Growing Backlash and Political Support
The intervention comes as Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch publicly backed Timothy's stance, questioning whether such events fit within the norms of British culture. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for banning public prayer by Muslims, drawing condemnation from Muslim leaders who warn of a growing tide of hate.
Ahmad expressed dismay at encountering renewed anti-Muslim hostility on the streets, something he believed was consigned to the past. Recently, racial slurs have been directed at me in a way that I cannot remember having happened for a long time, he revealed, comparing the experience to comments by health minister Zubir Ahmed about everyday racism resurfacing.
Historical Context and Party Values
Ahmad, who joined the Conservative party in 1994 and became a life peer in 2011, invoked former leader Michael Howard's mentorship. He said the party has been and should always be one for all Britons, Ahmad recalled, arguing that Timothy's remarks contradict core Conservative values of inclusion and freedom.
It's ironic that Nick has sought to defend what he said by referring to British values, Ahmad noted, because it is exactly the values of choice, of standing up for inclusion and freedoms, that have attracted people like me to the Conservative party.
Comparisons to Past Controversies
The peer drew parallels between Timothy's comments and previous remarks by Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman on diversity and multiculturalism. Robert has now left and I remember having a debate with him, Ahmad said, referencing Jenrick's call for arrests over shouting Allahu Akbar.
Ahmad criticized Timothy's characterization of the iftar and call to prayer as acts of domination. Nick's comments about the iftar, the call to prayer and Islam were ill informed, he asserted. He, and others, need to educate themselves before they make pronouncements like he has.
Defence and Counterarguments
In a Daily Telegraph article, Timothy defended his position, arguing that projecting Islamic declarations into shared civic spaces like Trafalgar Square blurs the line between religious freedom and imposition. In a pluralistic society like ours, people are free to believe in the unique truth of Islam if they choose, he wrote, but cautioned against public rituals in national monuments.
Ahmad countered this directly. The call to prayer is not about domination, he insisted. Nick should know this. I have known him for a long time when I was minister for countering extremism and he was a special adviser to Theresa May. No one should be trying to scapegoat any community in this way.
Broader Implications and Calls for Action
Ahmad highlighted the challenge of defining extremism while allowing open, respectful discourse. But Nick singling out the act of public prayer by Muslims as being about domination, is, simply put, wrong, he concluded. I think he is instilling fear. He is not just expressing an opinion.
The peer expressed hope that Badenoch, with her diverse background, would recognize the need for inclusivity. We as a nation move forward by working with, and for all, our communities, he affirmed, urging the Conservative party to reflect its broad appeal in both policy and presentation.
