‘Isis-supporting’ Imam condemned by David Cameron and Zac Goldsmith 'was invited to Tory event’
Suliman Gani was reportedly invited by a Conservative candidate to attend a Tory event encouraging more Muslims to become councillors
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Your support makes all the difference.An Imam labelled an Isis supporter by David Cameron and “repellent” by Conservative London mayoral Candidate Zac Goldsmith was invited to a Tory party event, it has been revealed.
Suliman Gani, a cleric in Tooting, was invited by a Conservative party candidate to attend an event encouraging more Muslims to become councillors.
Mr Goldsmith, who spoke at the event held last November in Tooting, has rejected the claims, denying Mr Gani was invited to the meeting.
But text and email conversations seen by LBC radio appear to reveal that Dan Watkins – who stood as Conservative candidate for Tooting in the last election – contacted Mr Gani asking him to attend the Tory forum and bring along local members of the Islamic community.
In a text message to Mr Gani, Mr Watkins wrote: “I have an event for the local Islamic community arranged… It is to encourage more Muslims to become councillors. Do you think you could come and invite local people you know too?”
Earlier this month, Mr Goldsmith described Mr Gani as “one of the most repellent figures in this country”.
The Conservative London mayoral candidate has also attacked his Labour rival Sadiq Khan, who is also MP for Tooting, for sharing a platform with the Imam, saying Mr Khan is giving “platform, oxygen and cover to people who are extremists”.
Mr Khan is known for actively campaigning against extremism.
The Prime Minister has been under pressure to renounce claims Mr Khan is not fit to be Mayor of London because he has appeared on the same platforms as Mr Gani.
He told MPs last week: “Suliman Gani … the honourable member for Tooting has appeared on a platform with him nine times. This man supports IS.”
In response to claims Mr Gani was invited to the Tory event, Mr Goldsmith, MP for Richmond, said: “It was a public meeting. Anyone could turn up.”
A spokesperson for the Back Zac campaign said they had not invited Mr Gani to the event, the Mirror reports.
Despite supporting the establishment of a genuine Islamic state, Mr Gani insists he has always opposed terror groups, according to the Guardian.
Mr Goldsmith has previously been forced to deny his tactics in the lead up to the London mayoral election have been “racist” in using attack lines that seem to highlight Mr Khan’s Muslim faith.
“I’m sorry he is allowing those running his campaign to lock away the real Zac Goldsmith and put forward this person that I don’t recognise,” Mr Khan has said.
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