Christian councilman who said that “pride is sin” was suspended but later reinstated

Following a lengthy suspension due to a tweet he posted referring to pride as “a sin, not a virtue” because of his Christian beliefs, British council member King Lawal has been restored to his previous role at North Northamptonshire Unitary Council. Christian Concern reports that the Conservative Party’s outrage prompted prompt punitive measures. Last week’s full council meeting saw the reinstatement of Lawal, 31.

With the backing of Christian Concern’s legal division, the Christian Legal Centre, Lawal gave attorneys instructions to draft a lawsuit accusing various parties of violating his rights to free speech and religion. After being reinstated, Lawal acknowledged his relief but also highlighted how dangerous free speech is in the United Kingdom, particularly when it comes to moral and religious beliefs.

Lawal demanded an apology from the Conservative Campaign Headquarters and support from other organisations that had removed him from their positions. After considerable pressure from the Conservative Campaign Headquarters, Lawal lost his jobs as vice-chair of the Scrutiny Management Board, chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee, and in other capacities within the local council.

Lawal was also given a contractual ultimatum by a local authority and warned that there might be a police investigation into hate crimes. Unable to bear the strain, Lawal quit his job in the family business, lost his position as trustee of a group that promoted kids’ access to green spaces, and was prohibited from having neighbourhood surgeries at the public library.

The case was described as “viewpoint discrimination against a standard expression of Christian belief” by Christian Legal Centre CEO Andrea Williams. Until “his reputation and all his public positions are fully restored,” she vowed to keep standing by Lawal.