Misuse of cross at Unite the Kingdom rally condemned by church leaders 

Christian leaders from different theological and political backgrounds have expressed their deep concern about the co-opting of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, during the recent ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally

The rally in central London on 13 September drew an estimated 110,000-150,000 people. Organised by Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), it featured high-profile participants and figures from across the right, including Katie Hopkins and Elon Musk via videolink.

Organisers framed it as a defence of freedom of speech and British values, with supporters complaining of government indifference and highlighting immigration concerns. Twenty-six police officers were injured, including four who were seriously hurt.
 
In response, an open letter from Christian leaders was published in The Sunday Times and Sunday Mirror on 21 September. It acknowledged the ‘diverse motivations for those engaged in the event’ and affirmed the right to free speech, including ‘to hold different views on issues such as immigration’.

However, the letter continued, ‘this rally included racist, anti-Muslim and far right elements. As Christians from different theological and political backgrounds we stand together against the misuse of Christianity.

‘The cross is the ultimate sign of sacrifice for the other. Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger. Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable.’
 
The letter was signed by Lynn Green alongside others including Gavin Calver, CEO of Evangelical Alliance, Krish Kandiah, Director, Sanctuary Foundation, Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary, Churches Together in England, Dr Anthony Reddie, Professor of Black Theology, University of Oxford, and Revd Canon Steve Chalke MBE, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was a signatory, alongside several Church of England Bishops, and representatives from the Methodist Church, The Salvation Army, Church of God of Prophecy Trust. Other charities represented included Caritas, the Catholic Social Action Network, CARE (Christian Action Research and Education), Theos, Bible Society and Redeeming Our Communities.
 

The letter in full:

We are deeply concerned about the co-opting of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, during Saturday’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Many individuals and communities felt anxious, unsettled and even threatened by aspects of the march.

There were undoubtedly diverse motivations for those engaged in the event. We respect the right to free speech, to hold different views on issues such as immigration, the importance of healthy debate between religious communities and the need to disagree well when consensus is difficult.

We also understand that for many of those involved in the rally there is a deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten in the democratic process. We know that we cannot heal this wound unless the Church, and society as a whole rises to do more to address the issues of poverty, inequality and exclusion.

However, this rally included racist, anti-Muslim and far right elements. As Christians from different theological and political backgrounds we stand together against the misuse of Christianity. The cross is the ultimate sign of sacrifice for the other. Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger. Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable.

As Christian leaders we are proud of our country and commit ourselves to work with others building a more United Kingdom where the values of love, humility and compassion shine through in every community; and we do so unapologetically in the name of Jesus Christ.
 
Signed
Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester
Gavin Calver, CEO, Evangelical Alliance
Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary, Churches Together in England
Revd Richard Andrew, President, Methodist Conference 2025/26
Jude Levermore, Head of Mission, Methodist Church
Matt Forsyth, Vice-President, Methodist Conference 2025/26
Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main, Territorial Leaders, The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland
Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain
Bishop Tedroy M. Powell, National Presiding Bishop, Church of God of Prophecy Trust. (U.K.)
Rev Fiona Smith, Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Honorary Assistant Bishop, Llandaf
Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester
Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark
Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford
Chine McDonald, Director, Theos
Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector, St James’s Piccadilly
Dr Christopher Baker, Professor of Religion and Public Life, Goldsmiths, University of London,
Debra Green OBE, Executive Director, Redeeming Our Communities
Revd Canon Dr Jennifer Smith, Wesley's Chapel and Leysian Mission
Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon
Dr Anthony Reddie, Professor of Black Theology, University of Oxford
Dr Robert Beckford, Professor of Black Theology, Queen's Foundation.
Kat Osborn, Co-CEO, Safe Families and Home for Good
Dr Krish Kandiah OBE, Director, Sanctuary Foundation
Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark
Paul S Williams, Chief Executive, Bible Society
Raymond Friel OBE, CEO, Caritas, the Catholic Social Action Network
Rt Revd Alastair Cutting, Bishop of Woolwich
Ross Hendry, CEO of CARE (Christian Action Research and Education)
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar, St Martin-in-the-Fields
Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough, Bishop of Kingston
Revd Canon Steve Chalke MBE, Founder of Oasis Charitable Trust


In addition, the Presidents of Churches Together in England shared a statement  expressing "deep concern" about 'the symbols and words of the Christian faith being co-opted to support messages that breed hostility towards others'.

The statement can be accessed here, and below:

As leaders of Christian Churches in this country, we wish to express our deep concern that in the recent rally “Unite the Kingdom,” and in other places, use has been made, by some, of the symbols and words of the Christian faith to support views and attitudes actually opposed to their message. In contrast, we wish to state clearly some of the key messages of our shared faith that are a crucial contribution to the well-being of all people in our lands.

The Cross of Christ reveals God’s overwhelming and unconditional love for every single human being. The Cross calls us to love our land and its communities and to serve its well-being. But, equally, we are called to love members of other nations too. The Cross and the Gospel of Christ must never be co-opted to support the messages that breed hostility towards others. Its message never legitimises rejection, hatred or superiority towards people of other cultures.

This ethic is core to a biblical vision. In the Old Testament, God commands the people of Israel, “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Jesus intensifies this call when proclaiming that love for the least is love for himself, saying, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)

As Christians, we wish all policy to be grounded in solid and compassionate values. So, we pray for a generous and just spirit, which does not demonise the other simply for being other. We pray that we can have mercy on those in need who legitimately come seeking our aid. We pray for a true Christian revival where people of all creeds and none, of all ethnicities and ways of life, can feel secure and appreciated for the gifts they bring.
 

• Cardinal Vincent Nichols, The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
• Bishop Tedroy Powell, CTE Pentecostal and Charismatic President, and National Bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy UK
• Rev Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson, Moderator of the Free Churches Group
• Bishop Paulina Hławiczka-Trotman, CTE President for the Fourth Presidency Group and Head of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain
• His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas, CTE President for the Orthodox Churches, and Archbishop of the Oecumenical Patriarchate (Diocese of Thyateira and Great Britain)
• The Archbishop of Canterbury (position vacant)