A 58-year-old Christian street preacher was arrested in Bristol on suspicion of "inciting religious hatred" after delivering a sermon that referenced Islam and transgender ideology. He was detained for eight hours before being released, according to his legal representatives.
Dia Moodley was taken into custody at about 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 22, in the Broadmead area of the city. Avon and Somerset Police said he was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence.
Police confirmed he was later released on bail until the end of December, with a condition barring him from parts of Bristol city centre, including Broadmead. Those restrictions were lifted in mid-December by a supervisory officer following representations made on his behalf.
The public order allegation falls under the Public Order Act 1986.
Moodley’s legal counsel, ADF UK, said the arrest stemmed from what it described as peaceful comments made during open-air preaching. The group is the British arm of Alliance Defending Freedom.
His lawyer, Jeremiah Igunnubole, said the arrest reflects what he called a broader pattern of enforcement. “This is far from an isolated incident. It is part of a clear pattern of behaviour from Avon and Somerset Police, who for years have targeted Pastor Dia for his peaceful expression in the public square and have failed in their duty to investigate serious crimes committed against him, by those who objected to his speech,” he said, reports Daily Mail.
He added: “The police must stop their two-tier approach of criminalising lawful speech. There has long been a pressing need for Parliament to pass legislation to ensure the right to freedom of expression is robustly protected in this country.”
Moodley said the arrest has taken a personal toll. “This latest arrest has had a profoundly negative effect on me and has been extremely challenging personally,” he said. “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.”
According to ADF UK, this marks the second time Moodley has been arrested in connection with his street preaching.
Dia Moodley was taken into custody at about 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 22, in the Broadmead area of the city. Avon and Somerset Police said he was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence.
Police confirmed he was later released on bail until the end of December, with a condition barring him from parts of Bristol city centre, including Broadmead. Those restrictions were lifted in mid-December by a supervisory officer following representations made on his behalf.
The public order allegation falls under the Public Order Act 1986.
Moodley’s legal counsel, ADF UK, said the arrest stemmed from what it described as peaceful comments made during open-air preaching. The group is the British arm of Alliance Defending Freedom.
His lawyer, Jeremiah Igunnubole, said the arrest reflects what he called a broader pattern of enforcement. “This is far from an isolated incident. It is part of a clear pattern of behaviour from Avon and Somerset Police, who for years have targeted Pastor Dia for his peaceful expression in the public square and have failed in their duty to investigate serious crimes committed against him, by those who objected to his speech,” he said, reports Daily Mail.
He added: “The police must stop their two-tier approach of criminalising lawful speech. There has long been a pressing need for Parliament to pass legislation to ensure the right to freedom of expression is robustly protected in this country.”
Moodley said the arrest has taken a personal toll. “This latest arrest has had a profoundly negative effect on me and has been extremely challenging personally,” he said. “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.”
According to ADF UK, this marks the second time Moodley has been arrested in connection with his street preaching.
