Imam accused by Cameron of supporting ISIS: I wish I could sue him

Suliman Gani, the imam at the centre of a row between David Cameron and Sadiq Khan, has said he wishes he could sue the Prime Minister.

The south London cleric has dominated the London mayoral campaign. He was labelled an ISIS supporter by Cameron in an attempt to link Khan, Labour's candidate for London Mayor, to extremists.

At Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, Cameron said: "He [Gani] describes women as subservient to men, he said that homosexuality was an unnatural act.

"He stood on a platform with people who wanted an Islamic state."

This followed another PMQs on April 20 where Cameron said: "This man [Gani] supports IS."

Gani responded by saying the allegations were "preposterous". In an embarrassing turn for Cameron it emerged Gani was a Conservative supporter who had previously been invited to an event encouraging Muslims to stand as Tory councillors.

He told ITV: "I do not [support Islamic State] and I categorically state that if the Prime Minister had to say those very same words outside parliament I would sue him.

"I have categorically condemned Islamic State."

He continued: "I'm really, really upset. I'm deeply shocked - I am gobsmacked. Why am I singled out given that I have a track record on showing peaceful co-existence?

"I have been working, engaging with all parliamentarians, cross party parliamentarians.

"Why am I being singled out to be labelled by Zac Goldsmith to be the most repellent figure in the UK?"

During the ITV interview Gani accepted he is unable to launch a libel case because of rules which safeguard MPs' freedom of speech.

The exchange at PMQs centred on allegations of anti-Semitism within the Labour party. Corbyn rebutted the accusations and told Cameron to reflect on the way Zac Goldsmith's campaign for London mayor smeared Labour candidate Sadiq Khan, who is a Muslim. He accused the Conservatives of running a "repulsive campaign of hate" against Khan.

Corbyn went on to say Labour has set up an inquiry into antisemitism and Cameron should follow suit and set up one into racism in the Tory party.

related articles
Naz Shah suspended from Labour party after anti-Semitic Facebook post

Naz Shah suspended from Labour party after anti-Semitic Facebook post

Labour\'s antisemitism nightmare: Why there\'s something strangely hopeful about it
Labour's antisemitism nightmare: Why there's something strangely hopeful about it

Labour's antisemitism nightmare: Why there's something strangely hopeful about it

Sadiq Khan favourite for London Mayor after racially charged campaign
Sadiq Khan favourite for London Mayor after racially charged campaign

Sadiq Khan favourite for London Mayor after racially charged campaign

Anti-Extremism Bill may target Christians who oppose same-sex marriage, lobby group warns

Anti-Extremism Bill may target Christians who oppose same-sex marriage, lobby group warns

Cameron and Corbyn clash over antisemitism and Islamophobia at PMQs

Cameron and Corbyn clash over antisemitism and Islamophobia at PMQs

News
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria

Thirteen Christians have been abducted by a militia group in Nigeria following a skirmish in Kogi State.

Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song
Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song

What do you do when you've retired from leading a church?

Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'

The university and students' union said the play was within the bounds of free speech laws.

Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged

A pro-life campaigner who silently prayed near an abortion clinic in Birmingham has been criminally charged.