Miguel Hayworth, 29, has been a street preacher in the city for the last five years. He said he was approached by several police officers whilst preaching in St Ann’s Square at the end of July, according to The Telegraph. He was accompanied by his father at the time, who was handing out gospel tracts to passers-by.
"At 2pm, I was approached on more than one occasion by several police officers who falsely accused me, stating that I was inciting hatred with homophobic and racial comments," Mr Hayworth was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
"One plain-clothed officer, who was with the other two uniformed officers, said: 'It is against the law to preach and hand out tracts: preaching causes offence and handing out tracts is harassment and could result in an arrest.'"
Excerpts from the King James version of the Bible read aloud by Mr Hayworth included Romans 1.27 - in which Paul speaks of men who, “leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly” – and 1 Corinthians 6.9, in which Paul warns that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
A second police officer came at 2.30pm and warned Mr Hayworth again that inciting religious and racial hatred was an arrestable offence.
Mr Hayworth stopped preaching after the officer also warned him that his actions were being videoed and recorded, according to The Telegraph.
He has sought advice from the Christian Legal Centre, which has appointed human rights barrister Paul Diamond to his case.
The Director of the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Minichiello Williams, criticised the policemen’s treatment of Mr Hayworth and his father in a letter to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Peter Fahy.
"They were clearly told that reading the Bible and preaching can be offensive and that they could be arrested," she wrote.
"Furthermore, they were subjected to abuse and intimidation. They were told that they were being monitored and filmed.”
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.