Bishops express grave concern over far-right figure Tommy Robinson using Christian rhetoric to justify racism and anti-migrant sentiment ahead of London rally.
LONDON: UK bishops have said they are “gravely concerned” about the use of Christian symbols to justify racism ahead of a far-right rally planned for central London.
The event on Saturday is billed by its organiser, controversial figure Tommy Robinson, as a Christmas “religious celebration”.
The bishops of the Southwark Diocese, covering much of south London, condemned the co-opting of faith to exclude others.
“Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable, and we are gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols and rhetoric to apparently justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric,” they said in a statement.
The bishops added they were proud of their communities and that the nation was “better than this”.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, urged attendees on social media to “honour our faith, our culture, and our heritage”.
The former English Defence League founder is a focal point for Britain’s anti-immigrant far right.
He has multiple criminal convictions and was released from jail in May after serving seven months for breaching a court order.
Robinson reportedly developed an interest in Christianity during his recent prison term.
Critics have dismissed this as a “strategic rebranding” to boost his mainstream appeal, according to anti-fascist magazine Searchlight.
His rally in September drew an estimated 150,000 people, one of the UK’s largest far-right protests.
US billionaire Elon Musk’s televised address to that rally was condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office for “dangerous and inflammatory language”.
The new gathering occurs amid heightened anti-immigration sentiment in the UK.
The hard-right Reform UK party, led by Brexit supporter Nigel Farage, currently leads in opinion polls.
Recent years have also seen protesters target hotels housing asylum seekers.
