A Christian pastor held in police custody for eight hours was released with bail conditions preventing him from preaching in Bristol city centre throughout the Christmas period after his arrest for comments about Islam and transgender ideology.
Avon and Somerset Police arrested Pastor Dia Moodley, 58, in Broadmead last November on suspicion of “inciting religious hatred” under the Public Order Act 1986. The arrest was justified for speech described as “anti-islam and transgender rhetoric,” though the pastor maintains he “merely publicly shared his Christian views.”
The bail conditions banning Moodley from entering Bristol city centre were later dropped after the pastor made representations to police. However, two officers visited his home on 8 January, questioned him further about the November incident, and invited him to a voluntary interview under caution.
ADF International is providing legal support to the pastor, who is considering legal action against police for violation of his free speech rights. Moodley currently awaits notification of whether he will face criminal charges for his peaceful speech.
The November arrest represents the second time Avon and Somerset Police have detained Moodley for street preaching. In March 2025, officers twice threatened the pastor with arrest for “breaching the peace” after he preached about differences between Christianity and Islam whilst holding a Koran.
During the March incident, Muslim bystanders assaulted the pastor and one man threatened to stab him. None of the individuals who attacked or threatened Moodley were arrested by police.
Following the March 2024 arrest, police instructed that signs the pastor used during street preaching be destroyed. The contrast between treatment of Moodley and those who assaulted him has prompted accusations of unequal enforcement.
“This latest arrest has had a profoundly negative effect on me and has been extremely challenging personally,” Moodley stated. “I am a law-abiding citizen and it feels surreal that the police have criminalised me so harshly and repeatedly merely for peacefully expressing my Christian views in the public square.”
The pastor, who suffers from a heart condition, added: “Unfortunately, I believe that the police view me, a Christian pastor, as an easy target and are afraid of others being offended by my lawful speech. This is two-tier policing in action.”
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF International, stated: “Pastor Dia’s arrest for peacefully commenting on Islam and transgender ideology shows police are using public order legislation to impose de facto blasphemy laws in the UK.”
Igunnubole characterized the incidents as part of a pattern. “This is far from an isolated incident. It is part of a clear pattern of behaviour from Avon and Somerset Police, who for years have targeted Pastor Dia for his peaceful expression in the public square and have failed in their duty to investigate serious crimes committed against him, by those who objected to his speech.”
The legal counsel added: “There has long been a pressing need for Parliament to pass legislation to ensure the right to freedom of expression is robustly protected in this country. Pastor Dia’s case shows how authorities can misconstrue peaceful comments on Islam as hateful and criminal.”
Moodley often engages in dialogue with members of the public during street preaching, with the vast majority of his interactions described as positive even when people hold different views. The pastor maintains his comments constitute legitimate religious discussion rather than incitement to hatred.
The case raises questions about the application of public order legislation to religious speech and the threshold for determining when expression constitutes unlawful incitement. The voluntary interview under caution will likely determine whether prosecutors believe sufficient evidence exists to charge Moodley under the Public Order Act.
ADF International’s involvement signals potential litigation challenging police actions should charges proceed. The organization has indicated Moodley’s case demonstrates the need for parliamentary action to clarify free speech protections around religious commentary.
Avon and Somerset Police have not publicly commented on their decision-making process regarding the arrests or the failure to detain individuals who assaulted and threatened the pastor during the March incident. The force awaits completion of investigative procedures before determining next steps.
