The role of faith in Britain’s public square has come under renewed scrutiny following a political row over Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on Tory Party leader Kemi Badenoch to sack shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy after he described mass Muslim prayer in public spaces as “an act of domination and division”.
Posting on X, Timothy said: "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. And given their explicit repudiation of Christianity they certainly do not belong in our churches and cathedrals.
"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."
The comments sparked debate about religious freedom in the UK, including the role of Christianity and other faiths in public spaces. The exchange took place during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, where Sir Keir defended the visible presence of faith in public life, including Christian events.
“When I see Christians performing the Passion of the Christ or Muslims praying, that shows the great strength of our diverse city and country,” he said.
He added that public celebrations such as Diwali and Hanukkah demonstrate the UK’s religious diversity, and warned against singling out one group.
“I’ve never heard her party call out anything other than the Muslim events… The only conclusion is the Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims,” he said.
Sir Keir also issued a direct challenge to Badenoch, saying: “If he was in my team, he’d be gone. It’s utterly appalling… she should denounce his comments and she should sack him.”
In response, Badenoch defended her colleague, saying he was “defending British values”, with Conservatives arguing their concern related in part to reports of gender segregation at the event.
A party spokesperson said the comments were based on footage showing segregated male prayer, adding: “Freedom of religion does not mean the freedom to do anything… people are free to practise their faith, but that practice does not require exclusionary use of our shared civic spaces.”
Asked about other images appearing to show women present, the spokesman said they were “outside the barriers”.
