The Evangelical Alliance (EA) has hit back at claims by Barnabas Fund and Barnabas Aid International that it ignored Barnabas Fund in favour of other religious liberty organisations and that its former General Secretary, Rev Joel Edwards, had "urged churches to open their pulpits on Sundays for Muslim preachers".
The claims are made in a document entitled Hard Pressed on Every Side sent to thousands of Barnabas supporters and made available online. It says the EA urged the World Evangelical Alliance to "break its partnership with Barnabas Fund" and that the Barnabas trustees "are very sad to see how the EA UK's current leadership is moving away from conservative evangelical values".
The document specifically criticises Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Release International.
However, the EA said: "The Evangelical Alliance has always been committed to supporting the persecuted Church across the world. We are part of the Religious Liberty Commission, along with Release International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Open Doors, which advocates on behalf of persecuted Christians and we work with member organisations who provide practical support."
It said it was "surprised and saddened" by the comments made in Hard Pressed on Every Side and was "dismayed that the trustees chose not to discuss their allegations with us first to avoid misinformation and confusion".
The EA statement said: "We have written to both organisations seeking to clarify who has issued this document and with what authority and asking for evidence for comments which appear unfounded."
It concluded by denying that the Alliance encouraged churches to open their pulpits to Muslims, saying "we are not aware of any statement made by us at any time that could be construed in that way".
Open Doors Release International and Christian Solidarity Worldwide have so far indicated they would not comment on the allegations.
Hard Pressed on Every Side is a defence of Barnabas Fund and its founder Patrick Sookhdeo on various issues, some of which date back many years. It includes criticisms of articles about Sookhdeo published by Christian Today.
Sookhdeo was found guilty in February 2015 of sexual assault and intimidating witnesses. However, he continued to maintain his innocence and was reinstated by the trustees of Barnabas Aid International to his position as International Director. He resigned again after being arrested on suspicion of indecent assault. However, the document confirms the trustees "asked him to continue to assist with his expertise during the period of transition, which he graciously agreed to do".
The document also reasserts Sookhdeo's claim to be innocent of the charges on which he was convicted. Its online version confirms that he has "re-started his appeal" against the convictions.
Last month he, Barnabas Fund and Barnabas Aid International settled an employment tribunal case brought against them by his victim out of court. The settlement is believed to have cost the charity up to £50,000, plus several tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees.
