A number of clergy have issued messages of support to Rev Jarel Robinson-Brown after he was criticised for calling the outpouring of appreciation for the late Captain Sir Tom Moore "a cult of white British nationalism”.

Robinson-Brown, an Anglican curate and chaplain at King's College London, tweeted that he would "offer prayers for the repose of [Capitan Tom's] kind and generous soul", but that he would refuse to participate in a national clap of appreciation for the heroic fundraiser and WWII veteran. 

He later tweeted: "I offer an unreserved apology for the insensitive timing and content of my tweet regarding the clap for Captain Tom." 

Following immediate backlash for his comments - including the Diocese of London stating that it would be opening an investigation into the matter - Robinson-Brown deleted his Twitter account and hasn't made any public comments since.  

A number of clergy have since come out in support of the embattled former Methodist minister. 

"I saw lots of tweets that expressed discomfort and even disapproval for the 'national clap', and I'm pretty sure many were posted by clergy. Strange that only one got picked up for villification. #JarelRobinsonBrown deserved better treatment from the church," tweeted Methodist minister Richard Hall. 

Rev Aaron Jackman added: "For the record, I'm standing with Jarel. He's my brother. Whatever you may think about his comments, no one should be subjected to racist abuse. Period." 

Others criticised the Diocese of London's statement. 

Parish priest, Dr Jo Kershaw, tweeted: "I'm disappointed by this statement, particularly as, whether you agree with him or not, Jarel's statements were not "regarding Cpt Sir Tom Moore," but the response to his death, and putting this way plays into the way Jarel's words have been misrepresented."