Ruth Peacock

Ruth is the leader of the Religion Media Centre project and oversees its work. After studying theology and teaching RE, she trained as a journalist on a local paper, freelanced in print and radio and then joined the BBC, working in many news departments, including the main newsgathering desk. She also worked on the BBC’s move into the new W1 building and studied organisational change.

Written Content

Religion news 6 March 2026

BBC committed to universal public service ‘representing the whole of the UK’; Westminster Quaker Meeting House raided again by Metropolitan Police; Gafcon pulls back from electing a leader to rival the Archbishop of Canterbury; Royal support for Holi celebrations in Leicester

Religion news 5 March 2026

Iranian diaspora in the UK ‘fearing for their relatives’ as attacks continue; Church abandons process to find interim Bishop of Bangor; Government launches review of antisemitism in schools and colleges; Politicians support British Muslims at Iftar events in Westminster

Religion news 4 March 2026

Archbishop of York concerned at place of religion across BBC and ‘appalling lack of religious literacy’ ; The Bishop of Guildford Andrew Watson has died after a short illness; Trump ‘anointed by Jesus to attack Iran and cause Armageddon’

Religion news 3 March 2026

Middle East crisis ‘triggers massive displacement in Lebanon’; Chief Rabbi appeals for the miracle of Purim to be re-enacted in Iran; Gafcon to launch alternative Anglican Communion this week; Briefing today ‘The BBC Charter review and the future of religious broadcasting’

Religion news 2 March 2026

Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader and top religious authority, is dead; Faith leaders warn against war and urge peace; Government ‘committed to working closely with churches’; Theos report urges theology-led rethink of investment and wealth; Jewish festival of Purim starts this evening

Religion news 27 February 2026

Jersey votes to allow assisted dying; ‘Catalogue of failures’ led to bishop’s promotion despite sex abuse allegations; Super mosque building project paused due to £4million shortfall; Bake Off star says she lost brand deals when people ‘clocked’ she was Muslim

Religion news 26 February 2026

Man arrested after ‘entering Manchester mosque with an axe’ during prayers; Bill for compulsory labelling of kosher and halal meat introduced in the Commons; ‘Hong Kongers in the Church of England’ support group for growing congregations; Bristol parishes ‘beacons of hope’ in their communities

Religion news 25 February 2026

Senedd votes in favour of assisted dying in Welsh NHS; ‘Angry prayer’ in service to commemorate fourth anniversary of Ukraine war; Report finds police and council failings in 2022 Leicester unrest; Listed Places of Worship grant scheme runs out of money

Religion news 24 February 2026

YouGov to run latest ‘Quiet Revival’ survey this year; Reform UK leader says churches should not be converted into mosques; Public can ensure good journalism which seeks the truth by ‘engaging with the media’; Gothic cathedral in Barcelona completed after 140 years