A pastor in the UK has been cleared of any wrongdoing after police concluded a criminal investigation into a sermon he delivered in Bristol in November 2025. Pastor Dia Moodley, 58, was arrested on suspicion of a "religiously aggravated" offense under the Public Order Act, as stated by the legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International. The group reported that Moodley was arrested after making comments on Islam and transgender ideology during his street preaching.
Following his arrest, Moodley was held for eight hours before being released on bail while the investigation took place. On May 16, ADF announced that Avon and Somerset Police informed Moodley that the case was officially dropped. The police confirmed to Fox News Digital that a 58-year-old man was arrested on November 22 on suspicion of common assault and a "racially/religiously aggravated public order offense."
After reviewing the evidence and the account provided by Moodley, police determined that the evidential threshold for a realistic prospect of conviction was not met. They informed him in April that there would be no further action regarding the case.
This incident marks the second time Moodley has faced arrest while preaching about Islam and transgender issues. In March 2024, he was arrested under similar circumstances, but the investigation was later dropped, and an apology was issued by the police.
Moodley and his supporters argue that these repeated investigations indicate increasing restrictions on Christian free speech in the UK. According to ADF, he has faced hostility and threats from bystanders during his preaching, including an incident during an Easter sermon on April 4, 2026, where a bystander warned him against his comments.
Moodley reported this incident to the police, who reviewed video footage but found insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal investigation. The police stated that they were unable to obtain further footage but would review the case if new evidence arises.
Moodley is currently seeking legal counsel to explore potential legal action against the police, claiming that his right to free speech was violated and that threats made against him were not adequately investigated.