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A row over Ramadan prayers in London’s Trafalgar Square has continued after Labour demanded Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch sack her Shadow Justice Secretary. Nick Timothy, the justice spokesman in Mrs Badenoch’s team, had criticised an event in the heart of London, which was attended by city mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.

Mr Khan had attended an Iftar, a meal eaten at sunset to break the fast during Ramadan. Speaking at the event earlier in the week, Sir Sadiq hailed the “power of being Muslim” as he addressed thousands at the “biggest Iftar in the Western world” in Trafalgar Square.

Mr Timothy posted a video on X/Twitter showing Mr Khan and others praying, and he said in the post: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.”

He went on to say: “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.”

Labour Party chair Anna Turley has now written to Mrs Badenoch demanding that she sack Mr Timothy.

Ms Turley said in her letter: “It is utterly appalling to say that Muslims praying in public are not welcome. Religious events in Trafalgar Square, including Hindus celebrating Diwali, Jews celebrating Chanukah, Christians performing the Passion of Christ, or Muslims praying, show the great strength of our diverse city and country. The Conservatives have not complained about anything other than Muslim events: it seems your party has a problem with Muslims.”

And she told Mrs Badenoch: “I urge you to show leadership and sack Nick Timothy today. Failing to do so will show the appalling depths to which you are allowing your Conservative Party to sink.”

It came after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raised the issue in Parliament.

Mrs Badenoch said Mr Timothy was “defending British values” rather than “abolishing jury trials”, drawing comparisons with Labour Justice Secretary David Lammy.

“I know who I would rather have sitting on the front bench next to me, and it’s not him,” Mrs Badenoch said.

A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said Mr Timothy’s comments were based on footage showing segregated males praying at the event.

He said: “The Conservative Party believes in British values and those British values mean we are an open and tolerant society, but with boundaries.

“And freedom of religion does not mean the freedom to do anything. It comes with responsibilities.

“People are free to practise their faith but that practice does not require exclusionary use of our shared civic spaces. That is not about worship. It becomes something else which undermines social cohesion. So that is where we draw the line. And that is what Nick Timothy was talking about.”

Asked about other pictures showing women at the event, the spokesman said they were “outside the barriers”.

In a post on X following the event, Sir Sadiq said: “Community isn’t just where we live, it’s how we look after one another.

“Tonight, people of all faiths, races and backgrounds came together in the heart of our capital to break their fasts at Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftar.

“There’s always a place at the table in this city.”