Pastor Faces Legal Battle After Arrest Over Public Preaching
(Photo: Alliance Defending Freedom)
In a case highlighting the tensions between free speech and public order, Pastor Dia Moodley is contemplating legal action after his arrest for comments made during street preaching in Bristol. The incident, involving remarks on Islam and transgender ideology, has sparked debate on policing and free expression.
Pastor Moodley was apprehended by Avon and Somerset Police in November last year under suspicion of inciting religious hatred, as per the Public Order Act 1986. His arrest followed his public sharing of Christian perspectives on Islam and transgender issues.
Following his arrest, Moodley spent eight hours in custody and faced bail restrictions that barred him from entering the city center, thus hindering his street preaching activities during the Christmas season. These restrictions were subsequently lifted, yet he was later approached at home by police for a voluntary interview under caution.
Backed by the Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF), Moodley is evaluating his options regarding the interview and awaits a decision on potential charges. ADF contends that the pastor’s comments were both “peaceful” and “lawful.”
Pastor Moodley expressed that the arrest was “extremely challenging personally” and described himself as a victim of “two-tier policing.” He stated, “I am a law-abiding citizen and it feels surreal that the police have criminalised me so harshly and repeatedly merely for peacefully expressing my Christian views in the public square.”
This is not Moodley’s first encounter with law enforcement. In March 2025, he was arrested after discussing Christianity and Islam while holding a Quran. During that incident, ADF reported that he faced physical threats, including an assault by bystanders, yet no charges were filed against those individuals.
Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF International, commented that the recent arrest “shows police are using public order legislation to impose de facto blasphemy laws in the UK.” He warned about the implications for free speech, especially with the government’s steps towards defining ‘anti-Muslim hatred’ despite opposition from various faiths.
Igunnubole emphasized the need for legislation to protect freedom of expression robustly, saying, “Pastor Dia’s case is all the more pressing as the government finalises its broad and ambiguous definition of ‘anti-Muslim hatred’, which risks censoring legitimate speech related to Islam.”
A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police stated, “A 58-year-old man was arrested at about 2.30pm on Saturday 22 November in Broadmead, Bristol, on suspicion of assault by beating and of a racially/religiously aggravated public order offence.”
The police spokesperson added that the bail conditions were lifted after representations were made, and the man was released under investigation in early January. The investigation continues with a counter-allegation recorded.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
