Article By Frank Bergman
A chilling case is emerging from the United Kingdom after a Christian pastor was arrested for “hate crimes” after publicly preaching the Bible and openly criticizing religious violence, fueling growing concerns that Christianity is increasingly being criminalized under Britain’s expanding anti-free speech regime.
Pastor Steve Maile, 66, was handcuffed by police in broad daylight while preaching on a London-area street, despite repeatedly insisting he had committed no crime.
However, the arresting officers told Maile that he was being charged with “inciting religious hatred” because his message was “offensive” to Islam.
In a statement to Fox News after the incident, Maile said:
“It’s called inciting religious hatred — which is false.
“The cross of Christ is a message of hope, love, mercy, and reconciliation to a fallen world,” he said.
“How could that be hate?”
Pastor Arrested While Preaching About Christianity and Islam
According to Christian Concern, Maile had been “peacefully singing and preaching” for roughly 10 minutes while calling people to repentance and discussing whether Islam is truly a religion of peace before police intervened.
The group stated that Maile criticized the violent history associated with radical Islam while also expressing compassion for Muslims and a desire for them to find salvation through Jesus Christ.
Video footage of the arrest quickly spread online and appeared to show officers aggressively detaining the pastor after accusing him of assaulting a child, a claim Maile immediately denied.
“There is no offence being committed here,” Maile said while being handcuffed.
“None whatsoever,” he continued.
“This is an utter disgrace.
“I’ve not assaulted anyone.”
Police later dropped the assault allegation entirely.
Pastor Still Under Investigation for “Religious Hatred”
Although the assault claim collapsed, Hertfordshire Police confirmed that Maile remains under investigation for a public order offense related to alleged “racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behavior.”
Under the United Kingdom’s sweeping Section 5 public order laws, citizens can face penalties for speech deemed likely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress.”
Critics argue the laws are increasingly being weaponized against Christians, conservative speech, and public criticism of Islam.
Maile said officers never properly informed him of his rights before forcefully placing him into a police vehicle.
He also alleged he suffered physical injuries during the arrest.
According to Maile, he required wrist splints for three weeks after being kept in double handcuffs for roughly 90 minutes in what he described as “excruciating pain.”
The pastor further claimed he was detained for approximately 12 hours without restroom access and without his phone.
Growing Fears of “Two-Tier” Policing in Britain
The arrest has intensified concerns over what critics describe as increasingly unequal enforcement of speech laws in the United Kingdom, particularly when Christianity or criticism of Islam is involved.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, condemned the arrest as “deeply troubling.”
“A peaceful, Christian preacher was treated like a serious criminal for expressing his Christian beliefs and that Islam is a false religion in a public place,” Williams said.
“The footage raises fundamental questions about whether policing in this country is now criminalizing Christianity while failing to apply the law equally and consistently,” she added.
Meanwhile, Hertfordshire Police defended the officers involved, claiming an internal review found “no further action was necessary.”
Pastor Says He Will Continue Preaching
Despite the arrest and ongoing investigation, Maile insisted he would continue preaching the Gospel.
“I don’t preach hate,” he said.
“I don’t preach violence.
“I preach the love of God, the mercy of God, and the goodness of God in Christ Jesus.”
“Everybody needs to come by the way of the cross,” he added.
“And nobody gets a free pass.”
Maile serves as senior pastor of Oasis City Church in Watford, England, and has reportedly spent more than four decades involved in Christian ministry and missionary work around the world.
The incident is now becoming another flashpoint in the escalating debate over free speech, religious liberty, and the aggressive expansion of “hate speech” enforcement across Europe.
Be the first to comment