Christian leaders have blasted far-right group Britain First as “trouble-makers” for holding so-called Christian Patrols in the East End.
Rev Alan Green of St John at Bethnal Green teamed up with six other reverends and Salvation Army Captain Kerry Coke to say the group, which drove an armoured truck into Whitechapel last week, is spreading a message of hatred.
“The overwhelming majority of Christians in Tower Hamlets wish to live in peace with our Muslim neighbours,” he told the Advertiser:
“While we may differ in our faiths, we have many shared principles that lead us to work together to maintain harmony and celebrate diversity.”
Rev Alan, who is the borough’s interfaith adviser, added: “Britain First uses the term ‘Christian’ to describe their messages of hatred and abuse.
“All the major Christian denominations of this borough want to be very clear: this is not the gospel we proclaim.”
The statement also condemned so-called “Muslim Patrols” in 2013 that Britain First claimed to be responding to.
Britain First, who came to the borough last year to “bait” Muslims by smoking and drinking outside a mosque, were also condemned by Muslim leaders.
Hira Islam, secretary general of Council of Mosques, said: “Britain First will never succeed in dividing our communities in Tower Hamlets.
“We are stronger as a borough through our work together.”
Last week the protests were denounced by the council, the East London Mosque and Rushanara Ali MP.
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