‘It’s flat-out prejudice': Minister demands Tory MP is sacked for branding Muslim public prayer an ‘act of domination'

Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant has called on Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to sack Nick Timothy as he slammed the shadow justice secretary's comments about an open prayer Iftar event held in Trafalgar Square as "flat-out prejudice".

Speaking to Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Sir Chirs said the Tory's remarks were "profoundly wrong" as he called on the shadow minister to apologise.

"He should be sacked by Kemi Badenoch. I was absolutely shocked," he told Nick.

Mr Timothy had reshared a video of Muslims, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, praying in Trafalgar Square.

Read more: Keir Starmer demands shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy's sacking over Muslims 'act of domination’ comments

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In a post on X, the shadow minister wrote: "Too many are too polite to say this. But mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.

"The adhan - which declares there is no god but allah and Muhammad is his messenger - is, when called in a public place, a declaration of domination. Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions."

He later added: "I am not suggesting everybody at Trafalgar Square last night is an Islamist. But the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook. Trafalgar Square belongs to all of us.

"It is a national memorial to our independence and our salvation. Last night was not like a televised football match or a St Patrick’s Day celebration. It was an act of domination and therefore division. It shouldn’t happen again."

Reacting to Mr Timothy's "act of domination" phrase, Sir Chris said he "doesn't get that at all".

"That seems to me flat out prejudice," he told Nick.

Sir Chris also hit out at Mr Timothy's "Islamist playbook" comment, calling it "profoundly wrong".

"He should apologise and he should be sacked," Sir Chris said.

But Mr Timothy has since doubled down on his remarks and has refused to apologise.

He wrote on X in a follow up post: "I will not be silenced.

"Labour are only demonstrating that they cannot see right from wrong.

"They will not stand up for our way of life. But we will."

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer also called Mrs Badenoch to sack the shadow cabinet minister.

Mr Timothy’s comments showed the Tories had a “problem with Muslims”, the Prime Minister claimed, as he pressed Mrs Badenoch to “denounce” them.

Approximately 3,000 people were expected to attend the Open Iftar event held by Ramadan Tent Project in Trafalgar Square earlier this week.

Similar religious gatherings have long taken place in the capital city, such as the Jewish celebration of Chanukah and Easter Sunday processions.

Sir Keir said the comments meant the Conservative Party had become aligned with Tommy Robinson after Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had posted supportively of Mr Timothy’s comments.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, 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 said Mr Timothy was “defending British values” rather than “abolishing jury trials”, drawing comparisons with Justice Secretary David Lammy.

“I know who I would rather have sitting on the front bench next to me, and it’s not him,” Mrs Badenoch said.

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