Conservative MP Nick Timothy is facing calls for an investigation after claiming that mass Muslim public prayer in the UK is an “act of domination.”
In a post on X, Timothy shared footage of Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square, writing, “Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination. Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.”
The comments quickly sparked backlash from fellow MPs. 20 Labour MPs referred Timothy to the parliamentary standards committee immediately after, which oversees the conduct of members of Parliament.
Some lawmakers came to his defense, however. Prime Minister Keir Starmer outright called on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to oust Timothy for his remarks, to which Badenoch accused Starmer of “sucking up” to Muslim voters. Others came to his defense.
“Instead of simply disagreeing with Nick, these MPs are calling for him to be ‘investigated’,” reacted Tory MP Laura Trott. “This is exactly why an Islamophobia definition is so dangerous. People need to be able to disagree and debate without the authorities weighing in.”
A spokesperson for Campaigners at the Free Speech Union highlighted how the reaction was indicative of what could happen should Labour put in place its proposed legal definition of Islamophobia.
“A week after the Government published its official definition of Islamophobia a Labour MP is trying to silence the Shadow Justice Secretary,” the spokesman said, according to the Daily Mail. “So much for your assurances that this definition would not restrict free speech or our ability to criticise religion. This is a blasphemy law by the back door.”
Meanwhile, Reform leader Nigel Farage has pledged to ban Muslim groups from praying in public at historic British sites.
