A major religious freedom organisation will arrive in London over the summer with the aim to fight legal cases they consider to threaten free speech.

The Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF) is a global legal charity that says it "defends religious freedom and opposes all attempts to compel people to compromise on their beliefs or retreat from civil and political life as the price for following their faith".

The arrival in London marks a dramatic expansion from ADF's origins in the United States and will be the fifth office ADF have established in Europe. The others are in Brussels, Vienna, Strasbourg and Geneva.

Paul Coleman, a deputy director of ADF, told Christian Today the organisation will fight "UK legal issues as they come up whether in the courts or in public policy or in legislation".

Explaining why ADF felt the need for a London office, he said: "The UK is in a dire situation.

"I doubt anyone would say there is no need for us here. The need will always outstrip the supply of help."

He was speaking at the launch of his new book Censored: How European "hate speech" laws are threatening freedom of speech on Wednesday. At a panel event alongside editor of spiked Brendan O'Neill, Coleman warned of the effects of government counter-extremism legislation.

He told Christian Today the government's plans were "terrifying". He said: "They are illiberal and citizens need to be aware of what is going on.

"The tentacles of the state are huge. They are looking to get involved in all sorts of areas of private life.

"It is not beyond the realm of possibility that churches and youth groups will be investigated People need to wake up and realise under these laws we are all extremists. Or we could be."