Suliman Gani: Cameron apologises for Islamic State claim
Former imam said to be taking legal action after being wrongly linked to terror group
David Cameron has apologised to former imam Suliman Gani for suggesting he supported Islamic State during a Commons debate in the run-up to the London mayoral election.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron told MPs that Labour's Sadiq Khan had shared platforms with "extremists", naming Gani specifically.
"This man supports IS," he added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But last night, Downing Street clarified that the Prime Minister was referring to reports that Gani supported "an Islamic state", rather than the terror group known as Islamic State.
"In reference to the Prime Minister's comments on Suliman Gani, the Prime Minister was referring to reports that he supports an Islamic state. The Prime Minister is clear this does not mean Mr Gani supports the organisation Daesh [IS] and he apologises to him for any misunderstanding," said a spokesman for No 10.
Gani, a former imam at the Tooting Islamic Centre, is said to be threatening legal action against Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who repeated the accusation during a Radio 4 interview. The Prime Minister is protected by parliamentary privilege as he made his comments in the Commons.
A spokesman for Fallon said: "Michael made clear he was quoting a claim by Andrew Neil on a BBC mayoral debate programme. He was unaware of the clarification and apology that the BBC had issued on Neil's claim.
"Had he been aware, he would not of course have quoted him and as soon as he became aware he put the record straight. He naturally apologises for this inadvertent error."
Lawyers acting for Gani told LBC that he has faced attacks in his local community and that he fears for the safety of his family and children.
Gani also told the station: "It is really stressful, my family are upset. I am utterly shocked that someone of such a high-ranking position, the defence secretary, can make such a preposterous statement."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: terrorist threats, space debris and natural history
podcast Why has Islamic State launched a new ‘global offensive’? Is the US right to ban anti-satellite missile tests? And does the UK need a natural history GCSE?
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published