British millionaire to cover legal costs for Christian preachers

Samuel Leeds. Photo: Samuel Leeds/Facebook

British entrepreneur and millionaire Samuel Leeds has said that he will cover the legal costs of Christian street preachers who face police action or court proceedings as a result of public preaching, reports the UOJ in America.

Leeds, born in 1991, is primarily known in the UK as a property investor, entrepreneur, and real estate strategy coach. In an interview with the magazine "Truth Times," Leeds said he was "outraged and shocked" that Christians in Britain were being arrested for preaching their faith. He cited as examples Dia Moodley, who was arrested in Bristol, and Steve Maile, a 66-year-old New Zealand-born Apostolic Evangelist, gospel singer, and senior pastor of Oasis City Church in Watford. Maile was arrested on April 18, 2026, while preaching in Watford city center. He had been preaching, singing hymns, and discussing the history of violent Islamism; he was being investigated for, among other things, suspected public disorder and hate crime. 

Leeds justified his financial support with his own economic situation. Having achieved success himself, he felt it was his duty to assist Christians who faced legal difficulties because of their preaching. At the same time, the businessman criticized what he saw as a double standard in the British approach to public statements. In his view, the United Kingdom remains a Christian country that is tolerant of different religions, "apart from the Christians themselves."

Despite his criticism, Leeds sees signs of a renewal of the Christian faith in Great Britain. He believes that a return to God is the country's greatest hope. As evidence of a possible turnaround, he points to studies showing that the proportion of Christians, particularly among younger people, has recently increased; church attendance has also risen.

As the UOJ reported, police officers in England were urged to observe the Ramadan fast in solidarity.

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