CLA · On the Record
Nick Timothy
Role at the time and now: Conservative MP for West Suffolk and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
“Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions. It shouldn’t happen again.”
What was said
On 17 March 2026, Nick Timothy posted on X after an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square. He described mass Muslim prayer in public as an act of domination and division, said the Islamic call to prayer in public was a declaration of domination, and made the exclusionary proposition quoted above.
Context and response
The event included a public iftar and prayer attended by London mayor Sadiq Khan. Timothy said he was not suggesting that everyone present was an Islamist. He argued that the event was different from other public celebrations and that the use of shared civic space followed an Islamist “playbook”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the remarks appalling and urged Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to dismiss Timothy. Badenoch defended him as “defending British values”. A Conservative spokesperson said religious freedom had boundaries and argued that the event involved exclusionary use of shared civic space. Contemporary reporting noted that Trafalgar Square has also hosted public Christian, Jewish and Hindu religious events.
Timothy remained in his shadow cabinet role. At the Conservative conference in October 2026 he again described mass prayer in public as deliberately provocative while discussing Muslim face coverings and religious expression. No retraction of the March statement was identified.
Evidence trail
- Nick Timothy’s original X post, 17 March 2026 — original attributable source URL.
- ITV News, 18 March 2026 — preserves the full post and records responses from Starmer and the Conservative Party.
- The Guardian, 18 March 2026 — contemporaneous context and political responses.
- UK Parliament member record — current office, party affiliation and shadow cabinet role.
- The Times, 6 October 2026 — later remarks on public prayer and Muslim face coverings.
Evidence status
Attributable and independently preserved. The original post is linked above. Its full wording and date were reproduced by multiple contemporaneous news organisations. Parliament confirms Timothy’s current public roles.
Legal status
This record concerns political speech and a proposed restriction on religious practice in shared public places. It does not report an enacted legal restriction, a criminal allegation, charge, conviction or administrative finding against Timothy. Inclusion here is not an allegation of illegality.
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026
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Responses and outcomes
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