Key Points
- London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan accused Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy of issuing a “megaphone dog whistle” after Timothy criticised Muslims praying at an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square as an “act of domination and division”.
- Khan warned that Jews and Hindus could be targeted next by the Tories, comparing their views to a “mono-ethnic, mono-nationalistic” stance akin to “pound-shop President Trumps”.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer demanded at PMQs that Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch sack Timothy, stating the Tories have a “problem with Muslims” and aligning them with Tommy Robinson.
- Badenoch defended Timothy as “defending British values”, contrasting him with Justice Secretary David Lammy, while a spokesman noted concerns over segregated male prayers at the event.
- Timothy shared a video of the prayers, including Khan, saying such rituals belong in mosques, not public spaces.
- Starmer highlighted similar events for Hindus (Diwali), Jews (Chanukah), and Christians in Trafalgar Square, questioning why only Muslim gatherings are criticised.
- Deputy PM David Lammy urged Timothy to “stop fanning flames of division”, noting invitations to Sikhs, Jews, Hindus, and Christians for Trafalgar Square events.
- Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins defended Timothy, calling for a “sensible conversation about the balance of rights”.
- The Open Iftar was organised by the Ramadan Tent Project to foster inter-community relations during Ramadan.
- Independent MP Adnan Hussain criticised Timothy, emphasising Trafalgar Square’s history of hosting diverse faith gatherings.
- Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) praised Timothy’s views.
London (Britain Today News) March 18, 2026 – London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has broken his silence on Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy’s controversial remarks branding public Muslim prayers in Trafalgar Square as an “act of domination”, accusing him of a “megaphone dog whistle” and warning that Hindus and Jews may be targeted next by the Conservatives.
Khan, who participated in the Open Iftar event organised by the Ramadan Tent Project, expressed heartbreak and anger in an interview with La Repubblica, stating:
“It’s Muslims today, who will it be tomorrow? Jewish people? Who the day after? Hindu people? This sort of mono-ethnic, mono-nationalistic view the Conservatives have is a carbon copy of President Trump. These guys are pound-shop President Trumps, they should be ashamed of themselves.”
Pressure mounts on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to dismiss Timothy after Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the comments at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), declaring:
“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.”
What Sparked Nick Timothy’s Remarks?
Nick Timothy, appointed Conservative shadow justice secretary in 2026, shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) of Monday’s Open Iftar prayers in Trafalgar Square, which featured Sir Sadiq Khan among attendees.
As reported in a BBC News article, Timothy posted:
“Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.”
He further described the mass ritual prayer as “an act of domination” and the public call to prayer as a “declaration of domination”, adding that such events “shouldn’t happen again” while clarifying he was not labelling attendees as extremists.
The event, held at the London landmark that regularly hosts worship for all faiths, aimed to promote inter-community relations with a theme of hope during Ramadan, hosting about 20 similar meals nationwide this year.
How Did Sadiq Khan Respond to the Attack?
Sir Sadiq Khan dismissed Timothy’s comments as the sort “I’d expect from the far right” in the past, questioning what was objectionable about Muslims celebrating their religion.
In his La Repubblica interview, as covered by the Mirror, Khan said:
“I’m heartbroken, I’m sad, I’m angry, and I can understand why many British Muslims are scared by somebody, who is so senior, who wants to be the Lord Chancellor, saying what he said. But worryingly, his leader, somebody who wants to be the prime minister, Kemi Badenoch, thinking it is British values to single out Muslims. It is British values to respect each other. Yes, we’re a Christian country, but Christianity teaches us to love thy neighbour.”
He labelled it
“This sort of megaphone, not dog whistle, megaphone policy is a disservice and disgrace to the Conservative Party, a once great party.”
Khan warned of escalating targeting, asking on X as reported: whether the Tories would now go on to target Hindus and Jewish people.
What Did Keir Starmer Say at PMQs?
At PMQs, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hit back forcefully, stating:
“Even Tommy Robinson, I can hardly believe I’m saying this, has said today that if the shadow justice secretary had made these hateful comments two years ago the Conservative Party would have kicked him out. Tommy Robinson isn’t some sort of moral signpost, he was pointing out how much their party has changed. They’re more inclined to his views, and he’s right about that. The fact he’s sitting on her front bench shows she’s too weak and has got absolutely no judgment.”
Starmer added:
“When I see religious events in Trafalgar Square, when I see Hindus celebrating Diwali, when I see Jews celebrating Chanukah live, when I see Christians performing the Passion of the Christ, or Muslims praying, that shows the great strength of our diverse city and country. I’ve never heard her party call out anything other than the Muslim events. It’s only when Muslims are praying. The only conclusion is the Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims.”
Sky News reported Starmer asking if Timothy was advocating
“discriminatory legislation targeted at Muslims”.
Why Is Kemi Badenoch Defending Timothy?
Kemi Badenoch responded at PMQs by saying Mr Timothy was “defending British values” rather than “abolishing jury trials”, drawing comparisons with Justice Secretary David Lammy, as per Sky News politics updates.
A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch, quoted in BBC News, said:
“The Conservative Party believes in British values and those British values mean we are an open and tolerant society, but with boundaries. Mr Timothy’s comments were based on footage showing segregated males praying at the event. Freedom of religion does not equate to the freedom to do anything; it comes with responsibilities. Individuals are free to practice their faith, but such practices should not lead to theary use our shared spaces. transcends worship and undermines social cohesion.”
What Are Other Reactions from Politicians?
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told Mr Timothy to “stop fanning the flames of division”, pointing out that Sikhs, Jews, Hindus and Christians
“are all invited to mark religious festivals on Trafalgar Square by Sadiq Khan”,
according to Sky News.
Speaking on BBC Two’s Politics Live, Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins defended her colleague, saying:
“we have to have, as a society, a sensible conversation about the balance of rights between different groups of people.”
Independent MP Adnan Hussain criticised Timothy sharply, as reported by Times of India, saying public spaces like Trafalgar Square have long hosted gatherings of different faiths.
Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted support for Mr Timothy’s views, sharing the post and saying “Well done patriots”, per Yahoo UK News.
What Is the Context of Trafalgar Square Events?
Trafalgar Square regularly holds events for worshippers of all faiths, including Jewish celebrations of Chanukah and Easter Sunday processions, similar to the Open Iftar.
The Ramadan Tent Project’s initiative brings together people of all faiths and backgrounds, including those seeking community during Ramadan, fostering inclusivity.
Khan has long invited diverse groups, underscoring London’s multiculturalism, yet Timothy’s focus on the Muslim event has drawn accusations of selectivity.
Has This Escalated Party Tensions?
The row has intensified scrutiny on Badenoch’s leadership, with Starmer using it to portray Conservatives as shifted towards far-right views, even endorsed by figures like Robinson.
Khan’s invocation of Trump draws parallels to US-style nationalism, positioning Labour as defenders of diversity amid rising concerns over religious tolerance in UK politics.
As the controversy unfolds, calls for Timothy’s sacking persist, testing Conservative unity on cultural issues.
