A latest ‘Street Preacher’s Charter’ has been launched in Parliament after a succession of fines and arrests involving pastors, a few of which have led to hefty compensation payouts from police.
The charter, drawn up by The Christian Institute, goals to guard street preaching and free speech while also calling Christians to evangelise “responsibly” and avoid “behaviour which could give street preaching a foul name”. The Christian Institute hopes that street preachers, the police and native authorities will adopt the charter.
“The Charter sets out the rights and responsibilities of people who engage in public preaching or share their beliefs within the streets of England and Wales,” The Christian Institute said.
“It is meant to support those that preach on the streets, and to guide police and native authorities in upholding long-standing free speech protections”.
The document comprises an summary of fine practice and relevant laws to guide each street preachers and police.
With regards to the conduct of street preachers, it advises them to remain accountable by connecting with a neighborhood church, check local regulations, and seek to construct good relations with the local council, police and shop owners.
If they select to debate “contentious issues corresponding to gender, sexual orientation and sexual ethics”, they need to “achieve this with care and in the suitable context”.
“Commend the exclusive claims of Jesus quite than specializing in preaching against other faiths,” the charter states.
“Remember that the liberty to say or do something doesn’t mean that we at all times should.”
Street preachers also needs to be mindful of the quantity at which they preach and avoid sounding “indignant” or using “a confrontational or argumentative style”. They must “never single someone out of the group to evangelise at”.
“Be friendly and cooperative,” it says. “Respect rightful authority. The Apostle Paul showed respect to those with whom he disagreed.”
The document has been endorsed by the road preaching organisations, Open Air Campaigners GB and Open-Air Mission.
The foreword to the charter was written by former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC, who noted that free speech within the UK was hard won.
“The emergence of free speech in our society was partly forged amid the legal persecution of Christian open-air preachers. Today, each our common law and modern human rights instruments uphold those hard-fought freedoms, and so they are routinely used and enjoyed by those of all faiths and none,” he said.
“If conducted responsibly, street preaching can enhance the vibrancy of our public squares and serve to remind us that we’re a society where free speech is valued and different opinions and beliefs are tolerated.”
Sam Webster, solicitor and head of legal at The Christian Institute, was the first creator of the charter. He said ahead of the launch: “Our Charter seeks to remind police and native councils of the freedoms that street preachers have enjoyed on this country for a whole lot of years, whilst at the identical time capturing a way of the often-difficult but necessary job performed by police and native officials in keeping order on the streets.
“Our hope is that over time, we are going to see an increasing number of street preachers who make the Charter their very own. And in the end we might like to see police forces and councils who could be prepared to formally endorse the Charter.”
The charter was inspired by a ‘wrongful arrest’ case involving Scottish street preacher Angus Cameron, 52. The father of two was arrested for ‘breach of the peace’ while preaching in Glasgow city centre in 2022.
The arrest was made after police received one unsubstantiated criticism. He was handcuffed by police and publicly searched within the presence of passers-by before being held in a police van for just over an hour. Police later informed him that although he wouldn’t be prosecuted, a ‘non-crime hate incident report’ would still be recorded against his name.
The Christian Institute, acting on his behalf, obtained disclosure of internal police documentation, which showed the police had no basis to suspect the preacher had committed any offence – essential for a lawful arrest.
With help from The Christian Institute, he took successful legal motion against Police Scotland for wrongful arrest, discrimination and breach of human rights. This led to him receiving a payout from Police Scotland of £5,500 together with £9,400 in legal costs, which he donated to The Christian Institute.
 A latest 'Street Preacher's Charter' has been launched in Parliament after...){kind=link}