Tory Peer Accuses Nick Timothy of 'Instilling Fear' Over Islamic Prayer Comments
Conservative peer and former counter-extremism minister 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. The intervention comes as senior Conservative figures clash over religious expression in public spaces.
Divisive Remarks Spark Outrage
Ahmad, who served in the governments of Theresa May and David Cameron, told the Guardian he had raised concerns with party leadership about Timothy's "divisive comments" and expected action to be taken. "I have known Nick for a long time and am deeply disappointed by his divisive comments," Lord Ahmad said. "He needs to reflect carefully on his own words."
The controversy centers on Timothy's criticism of an iftar event in Trafalgar Square where London Mayor Sadiq Khan and others participated in public prayer. Timothy claimed Islamic prayers in public spaces were "intimidating and un-British," drawing immediate condemnation from Muslim leaders and now from within his own party.
Badenoch Backs Timothy Amid Growing Tensions
While Ahmad voices his concerns, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has publicly backed Timothy's position. Badenoch questioned whether such public prayer events fit "within the norms of British culture," adding fuel to what Muslim leaders describe as a "growing tide of hate."
Ahmad expressed particular concern about the timing and impact of these comments. "It's ironic that Nick has sought to defend what he said by referring to British values," he 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."
Historical Context and Personal Experience
The peer drew parallels between Timothy's comments and previous controversial remarks by former ministers Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman about diversity and multiculturalism. "Nick's comments about the iftar, the call to prayer and Islam were ill informed," Ahmad stated. "He, and others, need to educate themselves before they make pronouncements like he has."
Ahmad also revealed he has recently encountered 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 shared. "It's unacceptable and no community should live in fear of that."
Timothy Defends His Position
In a Daily Telegraph article, Timothy defended his stance, arguing that Islamic prayer in Trafalgar Square represented a "repudiation of other faiths." He wrote: "In a pluralistic society like ours, people are free to believe in the unique truth of Islam if they choose. They are free to proclaim it at home, in mosques, and in communities that gather for that purpose."
However, he maintained that "when such declarations are projected into shared civic spaces – including monuments of national history and identity such as Trafalgar Square – the line between freedom of religion and the imposition of religious rituals blurs."
Party Unity at Stake
Ahmad, who joined the Conservative party in 1994 and became a life peer in 2011, emphasized the importance of party unity and inclusion. He recalled former leader Michael Howard's mentorship, quoting him as saying the party "has been and should always be one for all Britons."
"That is something that we always need to reflect, not just in our policies but also how we present ourselves," Ahmad stressed. He added that he had discussed his concerns with party leadership, noting that "Kemi has been someone who has deep insights and experiences from her own background and she knows that any party which aspires to be of the mainstream needs to be inclusive of people of all faiths."
The growing rift within Conservative ranks over religious expression comes as British Muslims reportedly discuss leaving the party, highlighting the political and social stakes of this ongoing debate about multiculturalism and religious freedom in modern Britain.
