Tory peer accuses Nick Timothy of ‘instilling fear’ over Islamic prayers

Timothy, singling out an iftar event held in central London, claimed that Islamic prayers taking place in public were intimidating and un-British. Photograph: House of Commons/PA

The shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, has been accused by a Conservative peer and former counter-extremism minister of “instilling fear” among Muslims with his comments about public prayer.

British Muslims were openly talking about leaving the Conservative party, added Tariq Ahmad, who said he had raised his concerns with the party leadership and expected action to be taken.