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Suliman Gani sues Michael Fallon over claim he backed Isis Suliman Gani sues Michael Fallon over claim he backed Isis
(35 minutes later)
A Muslim cleric who was described as an extremist during the London mayoral contest is suing the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, for claiming the cleric supported Islamic State. A Muslim cleric who was described as an extremist during the London mayoral contest is suing the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, for accusing him of supporting Islamic State.
Suliman Gani, who was previously the imam at the Tooting Islamic Centre, found himself at the heart of a Conservative attack on Labour’s candidate, Sadiq Khan.Suliman Gani, who was previously the imam at the Tooting Islamic Centre, found himself at the heart of a Conservative attack on Labour’s candidate, Sadiq Khan.
Both the Tory candidate, Zac Goldsmith, and David Cameron said Khan had shown poor judgment by sharing a platform with Gani nine times.Both the Tory candidate, Zac Goldsmith, and David Cameron said Khan had shown poor judgment by sharing a platform with Gani nine times.
The prime minister, speaking in the House of Commons under parliamentary privilege, said Gani supported Isis and held questionable views about women and gay people.The prime minister, speaking in the House of Commons under parliamentary privilege, said Gani supported Isis and held questionable views about women and gay people.
It is understood that Cameron meant to say Gani supported “an” Islamic state, as opposed to the terrorist organisation.It is understood that Cameron meant to say Gani supported “an” Islamic state, as opposed to the terrorist organisation.
LBC radio has revealed that lawyers acting for Gani have sent a defamation claim to Fallon after he repeated the remarks outside of the Commons, and specifically referred to Daesh, another name for Isis. LBC radio has revealed that lawyers acting for Gani have sent a defamation claim to Fallon after he repeated the remarks outside the Commons, and specifically referred to Daesh, another name for Isis.
They want an on-air apology from Fallon, and for the prime minister’s retraction to be noted in Hansard, the daily record of what takes place in parliament.They want an on-air apology from Fallon, and for the prime minister’s retraction to be noted in Hansard, the daily record of what takes place in parliament.
Following the interview, Fallon said he had quoted the BBC presenter Andrew Neil. 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.Following the interview, Fallon said he had quoted the BBC presenter Andrew Neil. 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.”“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.”
According to LBC, the lawyers acting for Gani, who has faced attacks in his local community, also believe he could be in line for damages.According to LBC, the lawyers acting for Gani, who has faced attacks in his local community, also believe he could be in line for damages.
Gani told LBC that he feared for his life as well as that of his family and children. He said he was “deeply shocked and greatly disheartened” that instead of getting an apology from the prime minister, Fallon reiterated the comments “without any shred of evidence”. Gani told LBC that he feared for his life as well as those of his family and children. He said he was “deeply shocked and greatly disheartened” that instead of getting an apology from the prime minister, Fallon reiterated the comments “without any shred of evidence”.
“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,” he said.“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,” he said.
Gani said the use of the word Daesh made clear what the allegation was, adding that he had no choice but to take legal action. “I need to take this matter as far as I can stretch it, and unless I don’t get a retraction I don’t think I can continue living peacefully among so many people who don’t know me.”Gani said the use of the word Daesh made clear what the allegation was, adding that he had no choice but to take legal action. “I need to take this matter as far as I can stretch it, and unless I don’t get a retraction I don’t think I can continue living peacefully among so many people who don’t know me.”
He said he was very concerned about the safety and security of his family because people might use the prime minister’s statement to attack him.He said he was very concerned about the safety and security of his family because people might use the prime minister’s statement to attack him.
Gani, who said he has been unable to eat because of stress, added: “I have been treated very badly.” Gani said he had been unable to eat because of stress, and added: “I have been treated very badly.”