A minister has been spoken to for attending a Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) occasion, regardless of a authorities ban on engagement with the group.
Labour’s management “reminded” Sir Stephen Timms of his “responsibility to uphold collective accountability” after he attended an MCB annual management dinner final week.
Sir Stephen was one among 4 Labour MPs to attend alongside backbenchers Afzal Khan, Naz Shah and Abtisam Mohamed.
In 2009, the Labour authorities severed ties with the MCB after a senior determine reportedly backed Hamas. Hyperlinks resumed in 2010 when the MCB condemned violence, however current Conservative and Labour governments have refused any official engagement.
Sir Stephen has been approached for remark.
Sir Stephen’s look on the occasion prompted questions from Conservative MP Nick Timothy concerning the authorities’s stance on the group.
Timothy mentioned the federal government’s coverage on the MCB was “a whole mess”.
On Tuesday, the prime minister’s official spokesman mentioned the federal government’s coverage on the group “has not modified”.
He mentioned: “The minister has been reminded of his responsibility to uphold collective accountability.”
Below Jeremy Corbyn’s management, Sir Stephen acted as Labour’s religion envoy, chargeable for the get together’s engagement with a spread of religion teams, and he continues to work intently with such organisations.
In 2010, he was stabbed twice throughout a constituency surgical procedure by a 21-year-old Islamist radical.
