The Conservative London mayoral candidate has claimed the way Christians are treated in the UK is tantamount to persecution.

Shaun Bailey, 48, says the views of believers aren't being respected in various areas of life.

He's been speaking to Premier as he prepares to battle current occupant Sadiq Khan for the position of Mayor of London.

Bailey, who's a Londoner, has often spoken about his Christian faith during his career in politics but is concerned it may be used against him in the upcoming campaign.

He said. "We're persecuted for our views. People say things to us that they wouldn't say to people of no faith or any other faith. I think because we are seen as a sort of establishment faith and that's allowed people to say things.

"Internationally, nationally people might feel differently about it but that's how I feel and I know lots of people of faith feel that way because of what is said about them and what they cannot say.

"You'll see it in my election [campaign] I imagine, you go for office and they'll use your belief to suggest that you're not cosmopolitan, you're not inclusive or something like that. But I wonder if they would do the same to somebody else of no faith, or different faith. I worry about that because we must be allowed to have our views."

Sadiq Khan is currently favourite to be given a second term when the city goes to the polls in May.

Bailey will also compete against former government minister Rory Stewart who stood down as a Tory MP last year.

To hear a full profile interview with Shaun Bailey in which he discusses his life, head to premierchristianradio.com/theprofile