Tommy Robinson has staged a controversial carol service in central London, billed as an attempt to ‘put Christ back into Christmas’.
The gathering, organised by the group Unite The Kingdom, took place amid a heavy police presence and quickly drew the attention of counter-protesters, including musician Billy Bragg, who appeared with Stand Up To Racism supporters in Whitehall.
Police erected barriers around the area after clashes flared earlier this year when the opposing groups confronted one another, with officers facing violence as tensions boiled over.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, pressed ahead with the Christmas-themed event despite criticism from church figures and anti-racism campaigners. At one point, a priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant.
Despite the initiative by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, a priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant.
‘I’ve worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson,’ she said, offering to speak to attendees about Christianity.
The event has also alarmed senior figures within the Church of England, who said they had ‘grave concerns’ about Christian beliefs being ‘weaponised’ by the right.
Robinson, an anti-migrant campaigner and founder of the now-defunct English Defence League, converted to Christianity while serving seven months in jail earlier this year for contempt of court. He has claimed he was visited by a prison chaplain three times a week during his sentence.
He had reportedly told supporters via email the event is ‘a rally for our values, a beacon of hope amid the chaos of mass migration and cultural erosion that threatens our way of life’.
‘It’s a statement that Britain belongs to the British people, and our Christian heritage will not be silenced,’ the message, seen by the Guardian, added.
Songs included Away in a Manger, Mary’s Boy Child, and Come all ye faithful.
In between the singing was a series of speeches from ministers and speakers.
A constant theme throughout the event was speaking of the risk to the future of Christianity in Britain.
Organisers stressed the event was not about being political and topics such as immigration were not mentioned.
One speaker, a teenager called Young Bob, who attends many right-wing events, spoke at the event.
He said: ‘I’m blessed to speak to so many patriots. I am very proud to admit, two
‘Jesus Christ is the only one God who will meet you on your level. Everyone is worthy of the promise of the cross.
‘Despite ripping out the Christian roots of this great nation. If it were not for Jesus Christ, I would not be here. If it were not for Jesus Christ, this country would not be great.’
He spoke about Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist murdered in America in September.
Young Bob added: ‘Charlie Kirk, this is the first Christmas without our great founder. Look at the fruit that is born. So many of us were inspired by the works and teachings of Charlie Kirk.
‘I plead with everyone to accept Christian forgiveness. Me at 17, I symbolise men and women of my generation, deeply need the discipline of the Christian faith.’
Another speaker revealed he had previously been a witch and had taken drugs before finding God. He said his life was demonic and was saved by God.
Ian Gregson, 54, from Southwark, attended with his family, and said the event was ‘boring’.
He said: ‘I thought we’d be talking about the invasion of the country. But it’s all been Christianity.’
Ryan Desmond, 45, of Plumstead, south east London, said: ‘It’s a wonderful event. I feel very blessed.
‘Christianity is under threat. It’s threatened by forces. Left-wing and liberal forces want to divide us. Jesus is in my heart.
‘We will always be a Christian country but it is under threat.’
Many people left the event early and complained it had been ‘boring’.
Robinson ended up getting on stage and spoke to the crowds about his newfound faith.
He said: ‘In 15 years of activism, in 100s of gatherings, this is the most beautiful moment in my life as an activist.’
He added: ‘Moments like this make me stand closer to faith. It’s been beautiful. People say why are we here today? We’re here to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
‘I would like to thank everyone who came here today and I wish everyone a merry Christmas.’
Next year, he said the event would fill Trafalgar Square.
David Walker, the bishop of Manchester, said ‘exaggerated, distorted, or occasionally fabricated’ stories about Christmas being ‘cancelled’ were designed to stoke anger and division at a time when we should be coming together.
Meanwhile, Bishops at the Diocese of Southwark directly responded to news of Robinson’s service saying ‘we are gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols and rhetoric to apparently justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric.’
In a statement, the Bishops said that Christ has always been at the heart of Christmas, adding: ‘And those who claim him need to be serious about what he stands for. The authenticity of a person’s faith may be judged by their actions.’
They said that at the heart of the Christian faith is the belief that God created all people and that he loves everyone.
The statement continued: ‘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.
‘We understand that there are many who may be swept up in movements like this who don’t necessarily buy in wholesale to what is being said.
‘We would encourage them to think again, to consider what kind of world they want to be a part of – and to choose compassion and understanding over hostility and conflict.’
They added: ‘We are proud of our nation and our communities – and we know that we are better than this.’
The Church of England has also put out a 43 second video on its YouTube channel, titled Christmas Isn’t Cancelled, in which several church leaders dispelled the idea that ‘the joy of Christmas is under threat’.
‘In every church, in every parish, in every cathedral, in every corner of the country you will find a story of hope, joy and love,’ the video says.
In a video shared on X discussing the Unite The Kingdom service, Robinson said the event is ‘not a political protest’.
‘We are having a great day of music, of festive coming together, of community, of Bible readings in central London,’ he said.
Robinson wrote on X: ‘I want this to be a day we all enjoy, a moment to breathe, to celebrate, and to stand together as Christians.’
Rev Dr Helen Paynter, director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, said: ‘The message of rescuing Christmas that (Robinson) is putting out is entirely consistent with his previous messaging that we need to recover our Judeo-Christian heritage.’
Rev Dr Paynter added: ‘I and many others who have been watching the unfolding situation over the last few years have good reason to distrust the intentions which lie behind this carol event, whatever plausible gloss is put upon it.’
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