UK: ACN welcomes appointment of new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief
Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) (UK) welcomed the UK Government’s appointment of David Smith, Member of Parliament for North Northumberland, as the new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).
The Government announced the appointment yesterday (Wednesday 11th December), three weeks after MP Sir Edward Leigh, working closely with ACN (UK), asked the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner at Prime Minister’s Questions whether a new FoRB envoy would be appointed by Christmas.
The Government’s announcement stated that “as Envoy, David will champion FoRB for all overseas, promoting tolerance and mutual respect through and alongside the UK’s global diplomatic network and engagements in multilateral fora.
“David will represent the UK in international discussions on FoRB, working closely with other special envoys, experts and civil society partners. This work supports the UK’s wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal.
“David’s appointment underlines the UK’s ongoing commitment to freedom of religion or belief for all.”
The Special Envoy role has remained vacant since July when the new Labour Government won a landslide victory at the General Election. Mr Smith takes over the post from Conservative Fiona Bruce, who was Special Envoy from 2020 to 2024 under the previous administration.
Commenting on Smith’s appointment, Mrs Bruce said “The work of ACN in advocating for a Special Envoy for FoRB has been both critical and timely.
“The charity’s work helped enormously to add the pressure to decide and announce the post at this time.”
Dr Caroline Hull, national director at ACN (UK), said: “We are delighted that the Government has appointed a new Special Envoy for FoRB.
“This position is of the utmost importance in ensuring that the UK uses its considerable resources and global influence to do everything it can to tackle and overcome persecution, discrimination and intolerance throughout the world.”
According to the Government’s announcement, Mr Smith “brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role from his work in the charity sector and faith-based organisations.
“He has spent much of his career working in the UK and overseas to promote fairness, egalitarianism, compassion and the empowerment of the vulnerable”.
Mr Smith is a Christian and before his election as MP for North Northumberland had worked at the Bible Society and Tearfund. He is the chief executive of Gateshead-based homelessness charity Oasis Community Housing.