Police apologise after busting church service in Milton Keynes under Covid regulations

Nine police officers in total attended the Kingdom Faith Ministries International Church in Bradville and receiving reports of loud music.

In fact the noise was from the support staff and 150-strong congregation joining in the Pentecostal service online, which was to support support male members of the congregation struggling in the pandemic.

The Rev Daniel Mateola and up to 15 socially-distanced support staff have been running the virtual worship sessions since lockdown began,but police insisted they were breaking Covid regulations, said the Christian Legal Centre, which is helping the church.

When the pastor tried to direct the police to the guidance to prove they were acting within the rules, seven more officers were called.

The guidelines state the numbers or people involved should be kept as small as possible to minimise risks, but add that technical support, musicians and singers are allowed if they are part of the usual form of worship.

Police told all the Kingdom crew to leave the building. Then four days later, on November 24, police officers went to Pastor Mateola's home and said he was to be prosecuted for breaking government regulations.

An officer told him he had broken coronavirus regulations and "the music was blaring out loud", says the Christian Legal Centre.

Now police have issued an apology to the pastor, who is one of of 122 church leaders pursuing a judicial review against the government's forced closure of churches in the UK.

Officers have confirmed he will not face prosecution.

Chief Superintendent Robert France, from the Thames Valley Police coronavirus response team, said: "It appears in this case that there has been a misunderstanding by our officers of the legislation in place in what is an ever-changing and complex area of enforcement.

"There has been a mistake in the issuing of this ticket and I would like to apologise for the distress I know this is likely to have caused."

Pastor Mateola said: "I have been treated like a criminal while legally seeking to be a blessing and to bring hope to my fellow citizens at a time of great need physically, emotionally and spiritually.

"Sadly, the government and police appear to have no understanding of what a church is, what it does and why it is so important to our society, especially for the most vulnerable and the lonely.

"Although I have joined a legal challenge against the government's decision to close churches, I have nevertheless followed the regulations that have been in force. Despite this I still found myself facing prosecution.

"If the police do not understand the regulations it is small wonder that church leaders are confused."

Throughout lockdown, the MK Kingdom church has been holding a Glory Worship Service online at 11am every Sunday morning via YouTube live.

You can access the service here