The leader of a Tooting mosque has sought to set the record straight after he was repeatedly linked with Islamic State by David Cameron during this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

Imam Suliman Gani, at the Tooting Islamic Centre, was accused of being a supporter of the terrorist organisation by the Prime Minister, who attempted to link the leader with Labour’s mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan.

Mr Khan attends Imam Suliman Gani’s mosque and the two have appeared at events together, but it has also emerged that the Imam gave his political support to the Conservative candidate Dan Watkins in May 2015.

November 2015: Muslim community urged "Be a Councillor" in event with Zac Goldsmith and Justine Greening​

The Imam also shared a picture on his Facebook page of him with the Conservative Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith.

It was not clear when the photograph was taken.

Wandsworth Times:

Mr Gani told LBC radio that Conservative parliamentary candidate For Tooting in 2015 Mr Watkins invited him to a Conservative Muslim Forum event in November, which encouraged members of the Islamic community to become councillors.

The photo was taken at the Be A Councillor event held in November with the Conservative Muslim Forum.

In a statement, Imam Suliman Gani said: "Saying I support Islamic State is untrue and highly damaging to my reputation.

"I am totally opposed to the so-called Islamic State, also known as ISIS, ISIL, Daesh, which I view as a terrorist and inhumane organisation.

"Indeed as an Imam and community leader, I have campaigned against the evils of Islamic State to my fellow Muslims and to others in the community.

"I condemn ISIS wholeheartedly and have done so repeatedly in public since its inception."

Wandsworth Times:

In recent weeks, Mr Goldsmith’s campaign has accused Mr Khan of sharing a platform with terrorist sympathisers and having poor judgement.

A spokesman for Mr Goldsmith said: "There are a million miles between Khan’s repeated errors in judgement and Zac getting approached for a photo by a stranger."

A spokesman for Sadiq Khan said: "Zac Goldsmith is running a negative and divisive campaign because he has nothing positive to say about the real issues in this campaign like London’s housing crisis. This just shows how desperate they have become. 

"Sadiq Khan will unite London’s communities and be a Mayor for all Londoners."

Mr Watkins has not yet been able to respond to request for comment.