UK Pastor Arrested for Preaching in Public Sees Charges Dropped

Audio By Carbonatix

Through freedom of speech, individuals are typically allowed to say what they want when they want to say it. But in Britain, police in the United Kingdom arrested Evangelical Pastor Dia Moodley, 58, for preaching the Gospel in Bristol.

Though the arrest took place last year, in November of 2025, landing him in more than four months of criminal proceedings, Avon and Somerset Police have not taken further action, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International.

According to the Christian Post, Moodley is “now consulting with his legal team about suing Avon and Somerset Police for violating his free speech rights and for the force’s failure to investigate threats against him.”

While Avon and Somerset Police noted that Moodley was arrested for “inciting religious hatred,” under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986, his speech was preaching against LGBTQ ideology and Islamic views. Before he was shut down, “a bystander reached for the wire of his speaker; footage appeared to show him pushing her away before she called the police.”

When questioned about his actions, Moodley told The Telegraph, “he was questioned under caution about why he chose to preach near Bristol city center, where he knew Muslims would be present, and whether it was right for him to criticize trans ideology.”

After these events, Moodley refrained from preaching publicly until Easter. On April 4th, he returned to Broadmead to share the Gospel again. During his sermon, a Muslim approached Moodley and said, “If you do that again, bro, we’ll send the boys round … we’ll have someone have a word with you.”

Reporting the incident to Avon and Somerset Police on May 1st, officers told Moodley their comments “do not constitute an offense.”

Related Article

UK Pastor Arrested, Imprisoned, Interrogated for Preaching in Public

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/nathaphat

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.