Lord Jackson of Peterborough, vice chair of a parliamentary group focused on religious freedom, has voiced concerns that the United Kingdom is experiencing a "two-tier justice" system that disproportionately affects Christians. He alleges that it is now "open season" to discriminate against Christians, while individuals from other faiths, particularly extremist Islamist preachers, are permitted to spread their message with fewer repercussions.
Jackson's remarks came as he discussed the case of Finnish politician Päivi Räsänen, whose past statements on marriage and sexuality have led to a protracted legal battle in Europe. Räsänen, a Christian politician, faced scrutiny after passages in a church booklet discussing homosexuality were deemed by some as hate speech.
According to ADF International, which has been representing Räsänen, British authorities canceled her electronic travel authorization (ETA) in July. Although she was later granted a visa on August 21, it arrived too late for her to attend a scheduled event in Northern Ireland where she was to speak on free speech. She reportedly addressed the event remotely.
"We do not have the same free speech protections that are available to citizens of the United States," Jackson told Fox News Digital, contrasting the situation in the UK with that of the US. He described Räsänen's situation as an example of how activists have used her words and "sincere faith-based beliefs" to stigmatize and criminalize her.
Jackson, a member of the UK's House of Lords since November 2022, asserted that Muslims in the country are treated differently than Christians. "Extreme Islamist preachers being allowed to preach in parts of the United Kingdom whilst at the same time Christian pastors are being harassed and arrested on the street, that cannot stand, that's completely unacceptable," he stated.
Jackson also mentioned ongoing efforts within parliament and with advocacy groups like Christian Concern and the Christian Institute to bolster free speech protections and provide legal support to individuals facing what he described as attacks. He cited examples such as women who object to sharing changing rooms with transgender women or individuals who wear crucifixes at work and are accused of "microaggression."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.K. Home Office for comment on these allegations.