Prime Minister meets Archbishop Sarah Mullally in Downing Street
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, at Number Ten Downing Street on Tuesday. A picture appeared on Number Ten’s Facebook page, and an account of the meeting is in the Church Times and Premier Christian News. The reports quote a spokesperson for Number Ten saying that the discussion was around “the importance of social cohesion, inter-faith relationships and celebrating the UK’s diverse communities in the face of division, including rising antisemitism and anti-Muslim hostility. They also discussed world events, including the war in Iran, and its impacts on communities here. They reflected on the millions of individuals around the UK whose selfless acts of service build up the nation.”
Sikh man guilty of stabbing teenager to death with ceremonial knife
A Sikh man who stabbed a university student to death with an eight inch knife, which he said he carried as part of his faith, has been found guilty of murder. Vickrum Digwa killed 18-year-old Henry Nowak as he was walking home from a night out in Southampton on 3 December last year. He told Southampton Crown Court that he had acted in self-defence after the victim used a racist insult, punched him and knocked his turban off. But the jury rejected this defence as “a wicked lie” and found him guilty of murder. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, because officers initially handcuffed and arrested the victim as he lost consciousness. The court was told that Digwa “slept in a bedroom with an arsenal of weapons”, and he chose to carry two knives, a discrete small kirpan, or dagger, under clothing, and a larger knife. The Sikh Federation said the death was an “isolated incident” and it was raising awareness of the rules around the carrying of a kirpan. Digwa will be sentenced on Monday. His mother was found guilty of assisting an offender, after removing the knife from the scene, and she will be sentenced on 17 July.
British Museum postpones lecture on ancient Israel after threat of disruption
The British Museum has postponed a lecture about ancient Israel and Judah, which was due to be delivered yesterday as part of Jewish culture month which runs from 16 May – 16 June. Dr Paul Collins, keeper of the Middle East Department, was due to speak about the archaeology and history of ancient Israel, the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Maccabean revolt. But the Museum pulled the event with 24 hours to go after being told that a significant proportion of the attendees were individuals intending to deliberately disrupt the event. It said it had a duty to ensure events could proceed safely without intimidation. Later it announced that the talk would be held at a later date. This is the first year of Jewish culture month, organised by the Board of Deputies, with more than 100 events to highlight Jewish contribution to the cultural life of Britain.
Abuse hurled at Dame Helen Mirren in the street over her views on Israel
Police are investigating a hate crime against Dame Helen Mirren, who was accosted in the street by a pro-Palestine activist who yelled: “And there is Helen Mirren the avowed Zionist. You said Israel should last forever because of the Holocaust. And she was very happy the Palestinians’ houses were gone. You are an evil Zionist b—-.” Dame Helen, aged 80, was walking arm in arm with her husband, Taylor Hackford, 81, near Tower Bridge when this happened at the end of last year. The film has been published on social media and the Metropolitan Police say officers are reviewing the footage and trying to contact the victims to establish whether they would like to report the incident. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said the video was absolutely appalling: “This is not activism. It is intimidation, mob behaviour and extremism masquerading as moral virtue.” Dame Helen has given an interview in the past saying she believes in Israel because of the Holocaust, and it has to go forward into the future.
St David’s Cathedral in Wales could be insolvent in two years unless urgent action is taken
A “visitation” report into operations at St David’s cathedral in Pembrokeshire, has found shortfalls in leadership, governance, financial management and strategic planning, which require urgent action. The report, prepared by the Bishop of St David’s, Dorrien Davies, said depletion of reserves, ongoing deficits, and loss of diocesan support could lead to insolvency within two years. Working relationships among senior clergy had become strained; communication and behaviour needed to be strengthened to support a healthy leadership culture; the Cathedral Chapter lacked clarity, accountability and strategic direction; and critical gaps remained in safeguarding and compliance. This was the first visitation since 2010. It was completed on 30 December 2025, shared with staff and published on 1 May – the Bishop says action has already begun on issues raised. In the report, he thanked the Dean, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, and the entire Cathedral staff for their cooperation and commitment. The report is here. Church Times report here.
Glory to God at Arsenal and Crystal Palace as clubs bring home the silverware
“The Bible Brothers”, a group of young Christian footballers at Arsenal praised God after winning the Premier League title this week, displaying their faith with signs on the pitch and posts on social media. Manager Mikel Arteta told Premier Christian News that their faith had contributed to a strong connection within the team. One of the Brothers attends a branch of Jubilee Church in London alongside members of the Christian jazz band Ezra Collective, and its drummer Femi Koleoso will headline the music at Arsenal’s victory parade around Highbury and Islington on Sunday. Meanwhile south of the river, Crystal Palace, which won the Conference League in its first ever European win, also has its own group of dedicated Christians, called “BallersinGod”, and they posted individual pics holding the Bible, with messages such as “One more for the Kingdom of God”.
One more football story – Hyphen Online reports efforts to gain official recognition for the “Muslim Gooners” fan base at Arsenal, saying it would champion diversity and signal that the large Muslim fan contingent matters.
