Councillor Mohammed Jamil, Labour group leader on Peterborough City Council, has written to the panel saying he has withdrawn his backing for the Olympic silver medallist to be made a freeman because the Muslim community is offended by his actions.
Video footage appeared to show Mr Smith, with fellow gymnast Luke Carson, laughing while pretending to pray and shouting “Allahu Akbar.”
The Islamic phrase means “God is the greatest” in Arabic.
Cllr Jamil said: “I’ve had people over the weekend saying they do not want someone who says things like that to have the freedom of Peterborough.
“There is anger. He is a role model to a lot of people.
“It’s stuff like that which gives the misconception of what Islam is.
“I just do not think someone like that is someone I can support to have the freedom of the city in a city as diverse as ours. [Peterborough Telegraph] Read more
