British overseas aid not for Christian persecutors

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said British overseas aid decisions should take into account persecution against Christians.

Cameron told the BBC that: “British aid should have more strings attached in terms of do you persecute people for their faith or their Christianity or do you persecute people for their sexuality.”

Cameron’s comments were welcomed by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need and spokesman for the group Neville Kyrke-Smith described Mr Cameron’s comments ‘a crucial step forward’ in the struggle to combat religious hatred.

“We welcome the Government’s emphasis on the importance of tying human rights into aid,” Mr Kyrke-Smith said.

“That the Prime Minister should publicly single out treatment of Christians as a factor in decisions on UK aid is an important step forward.”

Speaking at a ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ event, former Conservative front-bencher Ann Widdecombe said “you stand a better chance of earnest representation if you a hedgehog” than if you are a Christian.

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