Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to dismiss shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy after he described a mass Muslim prayer event in London’s Trafalgar Square as an 'act of domination and division'. The prayers took place during an open iftar organised by the Ramadan Tent Project, which aims to foster community relations and has held similar events across the country.

Timothy argued that mass ritual prayer in public spaces was exclusionary and said such practices should be confined to mosques. He also claimed footage showed segregated worshippers. Sir Keir condemned the remarks as appalling and accused the Conservative Party of having a problem with Muslims, saying religious celebrations by other faiths in Trafalgar Square had not faced similar criticism.

Badenoch defended Timothy, saying he was standing up for British values and social cohesion. Her spokesman said freedom of religion comes with responsibilities and that public spaces should not be used in ways that exclude others. The dispute has intensified political tensions, with both parties trading accusations over tolerance and extremism.