Archbishop of Canterbury criticises those who 'misuse religious identity to intimidate and divide'

The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticised those who misuse religious identity to "intimidate and divide", just days after Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom march in London.

In a speech in the House of Lords on Monday, Dame Sarah Mullally called for a "renewal of hope in our country" and a "rejection of hatred and division".

Dame Sarah, who is the Church of England's top bishop, also warned of a "deeply concerning deterioration in intercommunity relations".

She also criticised the government's immigration policy, likening proposals to double the timeline for settlement to a "decade-long game of immigration snakes and ladders" for refugees.

Her comments came after 60,000 people were estimated to have joined Saturday's demonstration in central London, in which protesters carried wooden crosses and chanted "Christ is king" and wore "Make England Great Again (Mega)" red hats.

Robinson, a far-right figure whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, called on others to get involved in politics, asking them if they were "ready for the battle of Britain?".

Dame Sarah, who did not overtly mention Robinson in her remarks, said: "The Church of England has long held that the right of all people to practise their faith without fear must be protected.

"We have also seen religious identity misused to intimidate and divide.

"Let us be clear: to follow Jesus Christ is to love your neighbour as yourself, to love without exception and to seek the flourishing of all."

She added: "As human beings, we are naturally drawn to those who resemble us or reinforce our views, particularly in times of adversity and scarcity.

"Yet such instincts do not lead to a flourishing society.

"Our debate on immigration can, however, be a source of hope: hope that attitudes can change; that fairer societies are less divided; and that daily life alongside people of different backgrounds reduces fear and suspicion."

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As part of a planned crackdown on immigration, the government has proposed doubling the time it will take to qualify for indefinite leave to remain from five to 10 years.

Sir Keir Starmer has said the changes will "deliver a firm but fair immigration system that restores control and earns public trust".

Dame Sarah said the country must address the "pressures facing people and communities", while ensuring the system for new arrivals are fair.

"We must undertake the harder task of bringing communities together, of making strangers neighbours, and ensuring that all who reside here have both the opportunity and the responsibility to contribute to our shared life," she said.

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