Pastor Dia Moodley of Bristol, England, has been cleared after a police investigation into a street sermon he delivered last November. The legal advocacy group, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, reported Moodley’s initial arrest over suspicions of committing a ‘religiously aggravated’ offense under the Public Order Act.
Moodley was arrested after offering comments on Islam and transgender issues while street preaching. Authorities detained him for eight hours, then released him on bail as inquiries continued.
In a communication on May 16, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the cessation of their investigation. The evidence reviewed and Moodley’s account did not meet the evidential threshold for any conviction. They previously informed Moodley in April that no further action would follow.
“No further action will be taken,” Avon and Somerset Police.
This represents the second arrest for Moodley, who faced previous legal challenges involving similar preaching content in March 2024. That case was also dropped, and police issued an apology, ADF reported.
Moodley’s experience echoes concerns among supporters about perceived restrictions on Christian free speech in the UK. He has faced interactions and threats while preaching, including an Easter sermon when a bystander warned him against comparing Jesus to other religious figures.
Avon and Somerset Police examined video evidence from the April confrontation but opted not to pursue the case due to lack of sufficient evidence. They remain open to reviewing the situation if new information arises.
Now, Moodley is considering further legal action against the police, asserting his free speech rights were compromised. He is consulting legal advisors on potential steps forward.
Moodley’s ordeal represents a broader trend involving legal disputes surrounding free speech among UK pastors. This includes Pastor Steve Maile in Watford, who is facing charges for his April address against Islam, and retired pastor Clive Johnston in Northern Ireland, recently fined for discussing John 3:16 in an abortion buffer zone.