Christian leaders are urging the government to prioritise the appointment of a new special envoy for freedom of religion or belief.
The former Conservative MP Fiona Bruce (pictured), held the role until the General Election in July, but the government has yet to announce her replacement.
The founder-president of the charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Mervyn Thomas has told Premier Christian News that despite lobbying the Foreign Secretary David Lammy over the issue, he and others, including members of the UK Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum (UK FoRBF) have yet to receive a response.
They say it’s particularly worrying that the UK won’t be represented by a special envoy at an international conference on the issue which takes place in Berlin next week.
Mervyn Thomas who is also the chair of the UK FoRBF, told said:
“I'm very disappointed that an envoy hasn't been appointed. All my indications are that the government will appoint an envoy, but the important key date is next week where there's a ministerial conference in Berlin on freedom of religion or belief and where we won't be represented by an envoy. That is so disappointing, bearing in mind that we've had representation at high level at all the ministerial conferences from 2019 onwards. I’m very disappointed that the government hasn’t seen this as urgent enough to appoint one fairly quickly after coming to power.
“Myself and a number of others have certainly put in a lot of pressure. We’ve been urging David Lammy to treat this as a matter of urgency, but it hasn't happened yet.”
The Bishop of Winchester Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen who in 2019 authored the Truro Review into the Foreign Office’s record on religious freedom, told the Church Times it was a "very great shame” and said the UK risks "losing hard-earned traction in this critical area."
Mervyn Thomas told Premier he understands two members of staff from the Foreign Office will be attending next week’s conference but that they wouldn’t have the same level of expertise on the issues around religious freedom as a special envoy. Expressing disappointment that he hasn’t received a response from the Foreign Secretary he added:
“I guess David Lammy's got a lot on his plate at the moment, but nevertheless, it's extremely disappointing and we’re going to lose momentum.”
Premier has contacted the Cabinet Office for a response.