Overview
- Writing in The Independent, Bishop of Manchester David Walker dismissed recurring claims that Christmas is being banned as fake and accused populists of using the season to spread division.
- The bishops of Southwark, Croydon, Kingston and Woolwich issued a joint warning against co‑opting Christian symbols to justify racism or anti‑migrant rhetoric.
- Tommy Robinson is promoting an outdoor carols gathering in Whitehall that he says will be non‑political, urging supporters to “put the Christ back into Christmas,” with promotional material featuring backers including Ceirion Dewar, pastor Chris Wickland and musician Rikki Doolan.
- In the run‑up to the event, Robinson has circulated posts claiming Christmas is “cancelled” in Paris and alleging Muslims “disrespected” a Manchester market, which clergy argue fuels grievance rather than goodwill.
- Bishop Arun Arora welcomed Robinson’s reported conversion yet warned he has no right to restrict God’s welcome or subvert the faith to serve his purposes.