Commendation of Female Police Constable for Defending Free Speech – and Call for Even-Handed Action on Anti-Christian Hostility

As part of my ongoing commitment to defend Britain’s Christian heritage, free speech, and fair policing, I have today sent the following letter to Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. It commends a courageous female constable while highlighting concerning patterns of hostility towards Christian preachers and urging impartial enforcement of the law.Britain must remain a nation where open debate is protected, not suppressed by claims of “no-go” areas or selective policing.

Dear Commissioner,

I write to commend Constable Moule (collar number CE2000) for her exemplary conduct during an incident in Whitechapel, London, involving a Christian preacher and a confrontational crowd. Her actions, as captured in video footage, demonstrate a clear understanding of the law on free speech.

The footage shows a large and hostile crowd of Muslim men objecting to the preacher’s message, claiming Whitechapel is a “Muslim area” where such preaching is unwelcome. One individual shouts, “We don’t want to worship a Jewish man,” referring to Jesus Christ. This remark is offensive and potentially anti-Semitic, given its derogatory tone towards Jewish heritage. I urge the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to review the footage and consider appropriate action.

The crowd appeared dangerous and intimidating, surrounding the preacher in a manner that could have escalated to a breach of the peace under section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986. Constable Moule de-escalated the situation by affirming the preacher’s right to speak, stating, “In this country, we have freedom of speech.” She correctly noted that offence alone does not justify restriction.

This stands in stark contrast to numerous incidents where Christians have been targeted by constables. For instance, in Uxbridge, preachers were threatened with arrest over alleged hate crimes for biblical preaching. In Bristol, a pastor was arrested twice for comments on Islam and gender. Such cases suggest hostility from some constables, making Constable Moule a rare example of impartiality.

UK law protects free speech, including offensive speech, under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998. The European Court of Human Rights in Handyside v United Kingdom (1976) ruled that freedom of expression applies to ideas that “offend, shock or disturb.” In Redmond-Bate v DPP (1999), the High Court held that police must protect provocative speakers unless the threat originates from them. There is no law prohibiting preaching in public spaces, even if contentious.

Britain is historically Christian, and claims of “Muslim areas” undermine this heritage. Muslims (in this case, but equally others) cannot dictate speech in public based on their ideology and beliefs.

If the MPS continues to record Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs), those making hateful, intimidating comments or stirring up racial/religious hatred in the footage should be registered accordingly. NCHIs help track tensions, but must apply evenly. Please state whether the MPS will take such action in this instance.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter and provide follow-up on any actions, including the review.

Yours faithfully

Footnotes

1. MSN article: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/moment-muslim-man-shouts-we-don-t-want-to-worship-a-jewish-man-at-christian-preacher/ar-AA1WTGD2?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=699c9681949a42038cc6995f20ff88e3&ei=11

2. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/ZZpJv3r5kBw?si=GIRBK22_r3wYxR0h

3. YouTube video (duplicate): https://youtu.be/ZZpJv3r5kBw?si=whBDeF_EEb3JxzS4

4. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/U-8YgtHTBF4?si=Z95zKy2DSwD-Vxf2

5. Redmond-Bate v DPP [1999] EWHC Admin 733: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/1999/733.html

6. Handyside v United Kingdom (1976) 1 EHRR 737: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-57499

7. Public Order Act 1986: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64/contents

8. Human Rights Act 1998: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/contents

9. Incident of Uxbridge preachers: https://christianconcern.com/news/police-weaponise-pspo-to-threaten-arrest-and-shut-down-christian-preaching

10. Bristol pastor arrests: https://adfinternational.org/news/police-arrested-and-visited-christian-pastors-home

11. MPS NCHI policy update: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8l0v54ggjo

12. MPS contact emails: mark.rowley@met.police.uk (Commissioner); complaints@met.police.uk (general complaints); dpsmailbox-cib@met.police.uk (Directorate of Professional Standards). Source: https://www.met.police.uk/contact/how-to-contact-us/metropolitan-police-service/contact-us-about-a-complaint/