Christian singer clashes with police over street performances in the centre of London

Jan 30, 2024 by Jill

from Religion Media Centre:

A Metropolitan Police special constable has reprimanded a popular Christian singer, claiming she couldn’t sing ‘church songs’ outside of church grounds.

The Daily Mail reports that Harmonie London, a gospel singer with over 300,000 YouTube subscribers, frequently treats passersby to worship music during her performances on London’s busy Oxford Street. When she protested that she was allowed to sing, the officer insisted that such songs required authorisation from the church.

The singer posted a video of the officer laughing and sticking out her tongue as she walked away.

Former Conservative minister, Ann Widdecombe, has demanded the removal of the officer from the voluntary force, arguing that there’s no legal basis for restricting public singing. She stated: “I could walk down the street singing Onward Christian Soldiers and I would be committing no offence at all.”

Westminster City Council’s policy designates Oxford Street as part of the West End’s regulated busking and street entertainment areas, enforcing a ‘light touch licensing scheme’ where performers can only busk in designated pitches.