London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jun 18, 2026

Church of England launches investigation after clergyman calls fans of WWII hero Captain Tom a ‘CULT OF WHITE BRITISH NATIONALISM’

Church of England launches investigation after clergyman calls fans of WWII hero Captain Tom a ‘CULT OF WHITE BRITISH NATIONALISM’

The Church of England is investigating one of its clergymen after he posted a Twitter message smearing fans of WWII veteran Captain Tom Moore, who died this week of Covid-19, as being part of a “cult of white British nationalism.”

The Rev. Jarel Robinson-Brown tweeted on Wednesday that he wouldn’t be taking part in a national clap to honor Moore, who died at the age of 100 after raising nearly 33 million pounds for the National Health Service in a funds-raising walk. “The cult of Captain Tom is a cult of white British nationalism,” Robinson-Brown said. “I will offer prayers for the repose of his kind and generous soul, but I will not be joining the national clap.”

The tweet was later removed amid a public backlash, demonstrating that there’s apparently still some limits on the acceptable bounds of bigoted wokeness. Robinson-Brown apparently deleted his Twitter account, which he had called “black prophetic fire.” Robinson-Brown issued an “unreserved apology for the insensitive timing and content of my tweet regarding the clap for Captain Tom.”

The Diocese of London said a review of the clergyman’s actions is underway, as the church expects its representatives to ensure their online activities are in line with its guidelines and “built on truth, kindness and sensitivity to others.” Removing the tweet and apologizing “does not undo the hurt he has caused, not least to Captain Tom’s family,” the diocese said on Thursday, but it added, “Nor do Jarel’s actions justify the racist abuse he is now receiving.”

However, people angered by Robinson-Brown’s message said it was he whose words were racist. “This man is a bigot and should not be a representative of the church or anything else, for that matter,” conservative commentator Patricia Page said. She urged people to sign an online petition that has been started calling for the church to fire Robinson-Brown.


The petition had more than 12,000 signatures, rising toward its extended goal of 15,000, as of around 9:30pm London time on Thursday.


Radio host Ian Collins called Robinson-Brown “a race-baiting fool” and said the simple act of displaying “British decency” triggered the clergyman’s hatred.


Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for Wednesday evening’s clap for Moore as a way to honor both the WWII veteran and the NHS workers for whom he raised money. Moore was so popular that at least 10 petitions were started calling for a state funeral. Others have called for erecting a statue in his honor or for burying him at Westminster Abbey.

Robinson-Brown, 29, listed such interests as “liberation theology” and “queer theology” in his since-deleted Twitter bio. The self-described “activist” said he was “passionate about issues of justice, particularly in the areas of race and sexuality.”

The clergyman reportedly has a history of controversial comments, including calling Britain’s honours system a tribute to “white supremacy” and making a reference to “ignorant white Christian men.” Robinson-Brown also once wished “a blessed Sunday to everyone except Boris (Johnson), Priti (Patel, home secretary) and all other oppressors.”

He said last month that the current UK government wants poor and homeless people to die from the pandemic. In November, when Jamaica was struck by tropical storms, Robinson-Brown said Jamaicans should “build a device to direct all the floodwater to Britain tbh because these landslides and severe flooding are the legacy of colonialism and poor infrastructure.” Even amid the backlash over his “Cult of Captain Tom” tweet, he “liked” a post saying that “if it’s going to come as a shock every time a priest says people shouldn’t worship false idols, we’re going to run out of pearls to clutch at pretty soon.”

Nevertheless, despite his penchant for controversy, Bishop of London Sarah Mullally last month appointed Robinson-Brown to serve in a prestigious post at the parish of All Hallows-by-the-Tower, an ancient church in the City of London, the Sun newspaper reported.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Health Authorities Warn of Rising Cases of Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses
BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Advance Multi-Nation Fighter Aircraft Programme
National Archives Publish Declassified Documents on Cold War Energy Security Planning
British Retail Spending Rises Despite Continuing Cost-of-Living Pressures
Wales Launches Social Housing Pilot to Address Affordability Pressures
British Energy Companies Commit £5 Billion to Geothermal and Hydrogen Projects
Northern Ireland Debates Cross-Border Healthcare Partnership With the Republic of Ireland
UK Establishes National Artificial Intelligence Safety Centre With Leading Universities
UK Reports Decline in Small Boat Crossings After Expanding Intelligence Cooperation With France
Scottish Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Delays to Renewable Energy Projects
National Crime Agency Dismantles Alleged Multi-Million-Pound Money Laundering Network in London
Transport Strikes Disrupt Rail and Bus Services Across Northern England
United Kingdom and European Union Open New Security Dialogue on Defense and Border Cooperation
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 5% as Services Inflation Remains Elevated
UK Government Unveils Major National Health Service Reform Focused on Decentralization and Performance Funding
Government Advances New Airport Slot Rules to Ease Airline Operating Constraints
BBC Opens Flagship Science-Fiction Franchise to Competitive Production Bids
Chancellor Meets City Leaders Amid Concerns Over Gilt Market Liquidity
Rathbones Shares Fall Seventeen Percent After Regulatory Review Reveals Compliance Failings
United Kingdom Joins Group of Seven Initiative Using Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing for Cancer Research
Parliament Debates Doubling Tax Allowance for Pensioners After Major Public Petition
Measles Cases Exceed Seven Hundred in London and the West Midlands
British Military Leadership Faces Parliamentary Scrutiny After Defence Secretary's Sudden Resignation
House of Lords Begins Debate on Steel Industry Nationalisation Legislation
Parliament Advances Bill to Abolish NHS England and Create Single Patient Records
Parliament Fast-Tracks National Security Bill to Expand Powers Against Foreign Threats
United Kingdom and European Union Set July Summit to Deepen Post-Brexit Cooperation
United Kingdom Imposes Seventy New Sanctions on Russia and Expands Support for Ukraine's Nuclear Sector
United Kingdom Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under Sixteen
0British Government Investigates Reports of Russian Warship Firing Warning Shots Near Isle of Wight
UK Supreme Court Revises Legal Definition of Deprivation of Liberty
King’s Birthday Honours Recognise Contributions Across Science, Culture and Public Service
UK Ministry of Defence Reports Interdiction of Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel
UK and US Launch Joint Regulatory Programme for Medicines and Healthcare Products
Solicitor General Refers Murder Sentence to Court of Appeal Under Unduly Lenient Scheme
UK Launches £1.6 Million Mobile Museum Initiative to Expand Cultural Access
Judicial Pay Structure Undergoes Government Review Following Senior Recommendations
Government Confirms Nearly 180 New Youth Hubs Across the United Kingdom
UK Government Expands Careers Support Through Partnership with LinkedIn
Digital News Report Highlights Growing Global Concern Over AI and Information Overload
UK Chancellor Reaffirms Fiscal Discipline and Borrowing Reduction Strategy
UK Government Invests £219 Million in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development
Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors Secures Major Swedish Export Contract
Government Confirms Locations for Nearly 180 Youth Hubs Across Great Britain
UK Government Partners with LinkedIn to Expand Employment Support Services
Reuters Institute Report Flags Rising Public Anxiety Over News and Information Overload
UK Government Commits £219 Million to Expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
Chancellor Convenes Market Engagement Group to Assess UK Economic Outlook and Productivity Risks
Rolls-Royce Wins Multibillion-Pound Swedish Contract for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Government to Ban Social Media Access for Under-Sixteens Across the United Kingdom
×