The Reform UK leader hit out at the Archbishop of Canterbury over the furore.
Nigel Farage erupted at the Archbishop of Canterbury in a row over her giving an award to a Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden. Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the honour for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation last week on the anniversary of 9/11.
But Dame Sarah Mullally was forced to withdraw the award following a backlash after it emerged he praised the mastermind of the terror attacks in comments made in 2007. Speaking on his GB News show, the Reform UK leader said: “Every time we get a new Archbishop I think it must get better, it doesn’t, it gets worse.”
Get the latest politics news – straight from our team in Westminster and more
Invalid email
You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: GB NEWS)
Mr Farage added: “Why oh why is the Archbishop of Canterbury giving an award to a man who praised Osama bin Laden just a few years after the Twin Towers?”
Mr Ashrafi, the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council which is a group of Islamic scholars, received the award “for his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan”.
But the honour sparked a backlash after past comments emerged that he made about Bin Laden.
Speaking after The Satanic Versus author Sir Salman Rushdie was knighted in 2007, Mr Ashrafi said: “We are pleased to award the title of Saifullah [sword of God] to Osama bin Laden after the British government’s decision to bestow the title of ‘Sir’ on blasphemer Rushdie. This is the highest title for a Muslim warrior.
“If a blasphemer can be given the title ‘Sir’ by the West despite the fact he’s hurt the feelings of Muslims, then a mujahid who has been fighting for Islam against the Russians, Americans and British must be given the lofty title of Islam, Saifullah.”
Lambeth Palace said in a statement yesterday that the award had been withdrawn.
It said: “The award was given for Imam Ashrafi’s longstanding support for religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian community – support that is valued by many Christians in Pakistan including its Anglican Church.
“It is a longstanding principle of interfaith dialogue and co-operation that we must engage with one another across deeply-held differences, and that remains the case.
“However, previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn. We have contacted Imam Ashrafi to make him aware of this decision.”
A spokesman for Mr Ashrafi and his council said his remarks had been taken “out of context”.
He said: “Our position against terrorism, extremism, suicide attacks and the killing of innocent people is clear and unequivocal. We have consistently worked for peace, moderation and interfaith harmony.”
Andy Burnham ‘well capable’ of defeating Nigel Farage with Labour majority, TUC chief says.TA
Andy Burnham ‘well capable’ of defeating Nigel Farage with Labour majority, TUC chief says
Andy Burnham is “well capable” of defeating Nigel Farage and securing a majority for Labour at the next general election, Paul Nowak has insisted.
Article continues below
His intervention follows Reform UK’s disastrous conference and a slump in the polls for the right-wing party after a series of scandals over donations. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary told the Mirror: “I think the more that the public see of Nigel Farage, the less they like him.”
He added: “If you listen to Nigel Farage and Richard Tice and all the rest of them, it’s like a foregone conclusion that they’ve got the keys to Downing Street. I don’t think that that is the case. I think Andy is well capable of beating Nigel Farage at the next election.
Article continues below
“If it’s a choice between a Prime Minister offering a vision of hope that’s focused on the issues that actually matter to working people, rather than scaremongering and creating division, then I think he’s absolutely got a chance of leading Labour into the next election and securing a majority.”
The TUC boss also dismissed speculation of a snap general election – despite clear evidence of a ‘Burnham bounce’ in the national polls. He said: “I don’t get the sense that the public is crying out for a general election anytime soon. I mean, that’s obviously a decision to be taken by the Prime Minister.
“I think people are more focused on: ‘Let’s see what you can do and deliver the change that we voted for back in July 2024.’ Not voting again, let’s deliver the change you promised.”
But he highlighted Labour’s recent victories over Mr Farage’s Reform UK at the ballot box, including Mr Burnham’s own Westminster comeback at June’s Makerfield by-election.
Article continues below
The following month Labour also emerged victorious at the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, with Bev Craig’s decisive win in the region over Reform who had hoped for a major political upset.
Mr Nowak said: “I think what’s clear is that we have seen a Burnham bounce in the polls. I’m not complacent about that.
“I am still worried about Reform and their impact on British politics. But I think the public are giving him a hearing, and he’s starting to… those breathing space policies, I think, are ones that people will feel in their pockets.”
Andy Burnham ‘well capable’ of defeating Nigel Farage with Labour majority, TUC chief says
Andy Burnham is “well capable” of defeating Nigel Farage and securing a majority for Labour at the next general election, Paul Nowak has insisted.
Article continues below
His intervention follows Reform UK’s disastrous conference and a slump in the polls for the right-wing party after a series of scandals over donations. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary told the Mirror: “I think the more that the public see of Nigel Farage, the less they like him.”
He added: “If you listen to Nigel Farage and Richard Tice and all the rest of them, it’s like a foregone conclusion that they’ve got the keys to Downing Street. I don’t think that that is the case. I think Andy is well capable of beating Nigel Farage at the next election.
Article continues below
“If it’s a choice between a Prime Minister offering a vision of hope that’s focused on the issues that actually matter to working people, rather than scaremongering and creating division, then I think he’s absolutely got a chance of leading Labour into the next election and securing a majority.”
The TUC boss also dismissed speculation of a snap general election – despite clear evidence of a ‘Burnham bounce’ in the national polls. He said: “I don’t get the sense that the public is crying out for a general election anytime soon. I mean, that’s obviously a decision to be taken by the Prime Minister.
“I think people are more focused on: ‘Let’s see what you can do and deliver the change that we voted for back in July 2024.’ Not voting again, let’s deliver the change you promised.”
But he highlighted Labour’s recent victories over Mr Farage’s Reform UK at the ballot box, including Mr Burnham’s own Westminster comeback at June’s Makerfield by-election.
Article continues below
The following month Labour also emerged victorious at the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, with Bev Craig’s decisive win in the region over Reform who had hoped for a major political upset.
Mr Nowak said: “I think what’s clear is that we have seen a Burnham bounce in the polls. I’m not complacent about that.
“I am still worried about Reform and their impact on British politics. But I think the public are giving him a hearing, and he’s starting to… those breathing space policies, I think, are ones that people will feel in their pockets.”
Nigel Farage loses it at Archbishop of Canterbury after row over award to Muslim cleric
The Reform UK leader hit out at the Archbishop of Canterbury over the furore.
Nigel Farage erupted at the Archbishop of Canterbury in a row over her giving an award to a Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden. Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the honour for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation last week on the anniversary of 9/11.