Nick Timothy warns of serious security concerns over Sunday’s event, with a former Guantánamo detainee accused by US authorities of al-Qaeda membership and a speaker previously criticised over remarks about Jews.
CONSERVATIVE MP Nick Timothy has demanded answers from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood over a conference taking place in West London this weekend, warning that the backgrounds and previous statements of advertised speakers raise serious concerns about extremism and national security.
The Shadow Justice Secretary has written to the Home Secretary calling for an investigation into The Thinking Muslim Conference, scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The event, organised by The Thinking Muslim podcast, is being promoted as a gathering to discuss the future of the global Muslim community, with speakers drawn from politics, academia, religious organisations and campaigning groups.
However, several names associated with the conference have attracted controversy because of previous statements concerning terrorism, Hamas, al-Qaeda and Jewish people.
Publishing his letter on social media, Mr Timothy wrote: “London is hosting ‘The Thinking Muslim Conference’ this weekend.
“One speaker said he would be willing to carry out a suicide bombing.
“Another was described as a member of Al-Qaeda, and met the Taliban.
“I have written to the Home Secretary about the obvious security concerns.”
Previous suicide bombing remarks raise concerns
One of the individuals highlighted in Mr Timothy’s letter is Azzam Tamimi, a Palestinian-born political commentator who has publicly expressed support for Hamas.
Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom.
Tamimi has previously attracted widespread criticism for remarks made during a 2004 BBC HARDtalk interview in which he discussed suicide bombing and his willingness to sacrifice himself for Palestine.
Mr Timothy’s letter quotes him as saying: “Sacrificing myself for Palestine is a noble cause. . . . I would do it if I had the opportunity.”
Tamimi later reiterated his position, according to the letter, saying he might act similarly if placed in the same circumstances as Palestinians.
His previous statements have repeatedly prompted questions about the distinction between political advocacy and the justification of terrorist violence.
However, although Tamimi appeared on earlier conference publicity, it is understood organisers have now said he will no longer be attending. Mazen Mokhtar was subsequently added to the speaker line-up.
Former Guantánamo detainee named in security concerns
Another speaker identified by the Conservative MP is Moazzam Begg, a senior director of CAGE International and a former detainee at the United States military detention facility at Guantánamo Bay.
Begg was detained by US authorities in 2002 and subsequently held at Guantánamo before being released without charge in 2005.
Mr Timothy’s letter refers to a 2004 US Department of Defence assessment that described Begg as “a member of al Qaida and other affiliated terrorist organisations”.
The assessment contained allegations about Begg’s activities and associations, although those allegations were not established through a criminal conviction.
Begg has consistently challenged accusations connecting him to terrorism.
In 2014, he was formally acquitted of seven terrorism-related charges in Britain after prosecutors withdrew their case, saying there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
Nevertheless, his subsequent contact with senior Taliban figures has attracted further scrutiny.
In July 2023, Begg published a photograph of himself meeting Khairullah Khairkhwa, a senior Taliban official serving as Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Information and Culture.
Mr Timothy specifically highlighted that meeting in his correspondence with the Home Secretary.
Begg remains listed among the speakers on the conference’s official website.
American speaker criticised over remarks about Jews
The letter also raises concerns about Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Walid, who is also advertised as a conference speaker, came under criticism following a sermon delivered in Michigan in 2012.
During the sermon, he discussed a passage of Islamic scripture and said: “Who are those who incurred the wrath of Allah? They are the Jews, they are the Jews.”
The remarks were subsequently reported by the Investigative Project on Terrorism, which criticised their implications for Jewish communities.
Mr Timothy reproduced the statement in his letter as further evidence of the concerns surrounding the conference’s speaker line-up.
The inclusion of Walid and Begg raises questions about the organisers’ decisions over whom to invite and the extent to which controversial speakers should receive platforms at public events.
However, neither their inclusion on the programme nor the historical allegations cited in the letter establishes that the conference itself is promoting terrorism or that attendees present a security threat.
Timothy demands Home Office investigation
In his letter to Ms Mahmood, dated November 4, Mr Timothy calls for clarification about what action the Government intends to take ahead of Sunday’s event.
He writes: “Please confirm what action you are taking to investigate the concerns over security and extremism that have been raised regarding this conference, whether the Home Office has granted visas to any speakers or attendees, and whether you are content for it to go ahead.”
The questions place particular emphasis on whether overseas speakers or visitors have received permission to enter Britain and what checks may have been carried out.
The Home Office has powers to refuse entry to foreign nationals whose presence is considered contrary to the public good, including in circumstances involving extremism or the promotion of terrorism.
However, decisions must be taken individually and in accordance with the law.
The conference organisers describe the event as an opportunity for discussion about the challenges facing Muslim communities and the future of the Muslim world.
The official conference programme includes academics, commentators, religious figures and human rights campaigners, with discussions expected to cover questions of politics, identity and international affairs.
The event is scheduled to run from 9am until 7pm on Sunday in West London.
Pressure on Labour over extremism and national security
Mr Timothy’s intervention comes amid continuing debate about how Britain should respond to extremism, controversial public speakers and the boundaries between freedom of expression and the promotion of terrorist violence.
Conservatives have repeatedly argued that the Government must take a firm approach towards individuals who glorify terrorism or spread extremist ideology.
The controversy also raises the question of how thoroughly the Home Office examines the backgrounds of visiting speakers before permitting them to enter the country.
There is an important distinction between allowing lawful debate on contentious political issues and permitting conduct that crosses the threshold into encouraging or supporting terrorism.
The fact that an individual has previously expressed controversial or offensive views does not, by itself, establish that a criminal offence has been committed.
Nevertheless, Mr Timothy argues that the backgrounds of those associated with the conference are sufficiently concerning to warrant direct ministerial scrutiny.
His letter places responsibility on the Home Secretary to explain whether officials have assessed the advertised speakers, whether immigration permissions have been granted where required and what measures, if any, are considered necessary.
With the event scheduled for Sunday, the Conservative MP is seeking answers before it takes place.
The Government has not yet provided a publicly verified response to the questions contained in the letter.
For the Conservatives, the central issue is whether ministers are taking the risks associated with extremist rhetoric seriously enough, and whether existing security and immigration powers are being used appropriately.
Mr Timothy’s intervention ensures that the Home Office now faces direct political questions about an event whose speaker list has already generated considerable controversy.
