A Conservative MP has repeated the false claim that a British imam supported the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attack on Israel - despite a Labour MP having previously clarified that the accusation is wrong.
Nick Timothy levelled the accusation against Imam Adam Kelwick on Monday during a parliamentary session.
Kelwick, who is imam at Liverpool's Abdullah Quilliam Mosque, told Middle East Eye on Tuesday that Timothy had abused parliamentary privilege to make "false and defamatory" claims, and urged him to retract them.
But parliamentary privilege means MPs cannot face legal action for defamatory statements made in the House of Commons.
Kelwick attended an iftar hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street during Ramadan. Afterwards, false claims circulated online that he had prayed for Hamas.
In a question to Security Minister Dan Jarvis on Monday, Timothy said that "the prime minister hosted Adam Kelwick, an imam who celebrated the 7 October attacks and told followers to pray for victory for Hamas".
He added: "Why are the government so keen to spend time with and lend legitimacy to organisations and people they say they oppose?"
Responding to Timothy, Jarvis said: "We are not, and I do not agree with the proposition that the honourable member has made.
"All ministers - of course, including the prime...
By Matthew Knott and Nick Bonyhady April 19, 2025 — 5.54pm , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any tim...