A member of the House of Lords who is an outspoken campaigner against the persecution of Christians has been injured in a bus crash in central London.

Lord Alton of Liverpool was one of 17 people who were injured when a bus mounted the pavement and crashed outside Victoria station on Thursday morning. 15 people including the bus driver were taken to hospital.

The cross-bench peer who is also chairman of the Parliamentary joint committee on human rights, posted on social media site X that he is ‘Full of gratitude for the NHS staff who attended to me and others at the scene and in hospital. Thanks also to those who have sent messages. Out of action for a while, but Ministers hoping for a period of respite may be disappointed, as I'll still have access to email.’

The former Liberal Democrat MP is a passionate campaigner for the protection of freedom of religion or belief and has frequently raised the issue of Christian persecution in the House of Lords, particularly in relation to Nigeria, China, Iraq and Pakistan.

In 2016 he instigated ‘Red Wednesday’ – a day of action to draw attention to those who are persecuted for their faith.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating the incident and is appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact them, including with any dash-cam or mobile phone footage.