Christian street preacher arrested for 'inciting racial hatred' with sermon on Islam and transgender ideology is CLEARED as police drop investigation

Published: 19:32, 17 May 2026 | Updated: 19:32, 17 May 2026 A Christian street preacher arrested in Bristol for 'inciting religious hatred' has seen a police investigation dropped in a 'win for free speech'. Dia Moodley, 58, was arrested in November 2025 after giving a street sermon which criticised Islam and transgender ideology, according to his legal counsel, the faith-based Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK. But Avon and Somerset Police dropped a hate crime investigation into the evangelical pastor on April 8, saying 'no further action will be taken'. Mr Moodley said the decision was a 'win for free speech' and added he should never have been investigated. 'I never should have been arrested, treated like a criminal and investigated for months for peacefully sharing my faith in the public square,' he said. Mr Moodley was arrested on November 22 on suspicion of a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence and assault by beating, after which his lawyers said he was held for eight hours. He had reportedly been preaching against transgender ideology and comparing Christianity's teachings to other religions, including Islam, when he was arrested. He was released on bail with conditions that temporarily banned him from entering Bristol over Christmas. Dia Moodley was arrested after giving a street sermon which criticised Islam and transgender ideology Mr Moodley has previously faced police action for his public comments and sermons Avon and Somerset Police visited the pastor again in January and invited him to attend a voluntary interview under caution.  His legal counsel, Jeremiah Igunnubole, said in February Mr Moodley's arrest for 'peacefully commenting on Islam and transgender ideology' showed police were using public order legislation to impose 'de facto blasphemy laws' in Britain. November's events marked the second time Moodley had been arrested, with previous action in March 2024. He was arrested then after commenting on Islam and saying that biological sex was binary while preaching outside the University of Bristol. Mr Igunnubole said in February: 'This is far from an isolated incident. It is part of a clear pattern of behaviour from Avon and Somerset Police, who for years have targeted Pastor Dia for his peaceful expression in the public square and have failed in their duty to investigate serious crimes committed against him, by those who objected to his speech. 'The police must stop their two-tier approach of criminalising lawful speech. There has long been a pressing need for Parliament to pass legislation to ensure the right to freedom of expression is robustly protected in this country. 'Pastor Dia's case is all the more pressing as the government finalises its broad and ambiguous definition of 'anti-Muslim hatred', which risks censoring legitimate speech related to Islam. 'Pastor Dia's case shows how authorities can misconstrue peaceful comments on Islam as 'hateful' and criminal. 'This misconstruction will be repeated unless clarity is provided to preserve the ability of citizens to peacefully comment, discuss and criticise in accordance with their core beliefs.' During Mr Moodley's April 4 Easter sermon, he claimed a Muslim bystander had threatened him after he compared Jesus to the Prophet Mohammed, saying only the former rose from the dead. Footage of the exchange appeared to show a man saying: 'If you do that again bro, we'll send the boys round … we'll have someone have a word with you.' The pastor said the fact that Avon and Somerset Police had dropped their investigation into him was a 'win for free speech' Avon and Somerset Police allegedly refused to investigate the man after Mr Moodley reported him, claiming there was 'insufficient evidence and that his comments, though 'unpleasant', did not 'constitute an offence'. Mr Moodley said: 'Avon and Somerset Police have arrested me twice because my lawful speech was seen as offensive to some Muslims and people with a progressive world-view. 'Meanwhile, the police have shockingly failed to investigate violence and threats against me, committed by those who object to my speech. This is the definition of two-tier policing and must end.' In his preaching, Mr Moodley has said Islam is 'lies' and 'darkness', while Christianity is 'light'. He has also said the Bible is 'the truth' while the Koran is 'not true'. In 2021 he was banned from 'passing comment' on any other faith and from giving sermons without police approval. He was also among the activists who met US officials sent to the UK in March last year as part of concerns in Washington that free speech in Britain was under threat. The comments below have been moderated in advance. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 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