Home Affairs Correspondent
Labour has slammed Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for defending remarks that compared a peaceful Muslim gathering in Trafalgar Square on March 16 to the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack. Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, described the comparison as “false and inflammatory,” demanding an apology and warning that it suggested the Conservative Party “has a problem with Muslims.”
The row began in mid-March when Nick Timothy, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor, described the annual Open Iftar, attended by around 3,000 people including London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, as “an act of domination … the domination of public places is straight from the Islamist playbook.” Timothy’s words framed a collective prayer, or adhan, as a declaration of control, prompting immediate outrage across Westminster and in the wider media.
Rather than distancing herself from Timothy, Badenoch publicly backed him, framing the controversy as a matter of free speech rather than criticism of religious practice. Speaking to GB News, she said critics were trying to “shut Nick Timothy down” and suggested the debate highlighted wider public fear of raising sensitive issues. “It is this silencing that causes the real problem,” she said, referring to hesitation by individuals, such as a Manchester Arena security guard during the 2017 bombing inquiry, to speak out for fear of reprisal. She added: “People see what happens to MPs like Nick Timothy and think, ‘we’re probably not allowed to raise concerns’… We believe in freedom of religion in this country, but that doesn’t mean that every cultural practice associated with the religion should be acceptable.”
Labour figures reacted sharply. Reed said Badenoch’s defence of Timothy was “a new low” and accused her of falsely comparing the Iftar to the “murderous Manchester Arena attacks,” demanding an apology. He warned that the remarks risked echoing far-right rhetoric by portraying peaceful Muslim prayer as threatening.
Former counter-extremism minister Lord Tariq Ahmad similarly condemned Timothy’s comments, saying they “instil fear among Muslims” and had caused unease even within Conservative ranks. Civil society groups and commentators also criticised the language as divisive, arguing that faith communities should be free to pray publicly without being characterised as menacing.
Online debate around the row has been intense, with some questioning whether prominent public spaces such as Trafalgar Square should host visible religious events. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for tighter restrictions on mass gatherings, a proposal widely criticised as inflammatory. Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake defended Timothy’s right to speak, describing the remarks as part of a legitimate debate about public life and cultural practices.
The Open Iftar itself, was a peaceful celebration bringing together roughly 3,000 attendees of all faiths to promote inclusivity and community. Organisers emphasised that public cultural and religious events—from Diwali and Hanukkah to Christmas and Vaisakhi—have long been part of London’s civic life.
As the row continues, Labour is demanding an unequivocal apology from both Badenoch and Timothy, while the Conservatives insist the issue is about free speech and cultural debate. The controversy underscores the ongoing tensions around public religious expression, political rhetoric, and communal relations, particularly as Britain heads toward the next national elections.
Feature photo: Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party, criticised by Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, over controversial remarks linking the Trafalgar Square Iftar to the Manchester Arena terror attack. (Credit: House of Commons/Flickr)
