The BBC reported the “shock and disappointment” of a number of Christian groups that Reform UK was allowed to use the Church of England’s headquarters for a press conference.
This seems a reasonable concern given Church House’s lettings policy, which says it does not accept bookings from groups which “promote racial prejudice”. And protesters have said that the party’s immigration policies were opposed to Church beliefs and teachings. But Reform UK say the criticism is “little more than a cheap political stunt”.
Church House is not part of the Church of England and operates on a commercial basis. But the optics give a very different impression. Christians for a Welcoming Britain said it was “outraged” that Reform UK was allowed to use the venue, because it created the impression that the Church gave its “blessing” to “hostile policies and divisive rhetoric”.
Other organisations and parties – including the Conservatives and Labour – have used the venue on previous occasions, as has Reform. But this particular event was hosted inside the chamber where the Church of England had – only the week before – held its General Synod, and this raised the greatest concern.
Read the BBC story here.
Picture above: inside Church House chamber