Two Baptist street preachers accused of espousing homophopia, harassment and bigotry have come under fire from members of the public after they defended their impromptu town centre sermons.
Dale McAlpine and Angus Cameron, who regularly address passers-by through a tannoy system that they set up in the Market Square have been the focus of an intense backlash on social media.
Christine Moorhouse, who lives in town, wrote: “I think most people hearing this awful language are very alarmed. Free speech is of course legal. Causing harassment, alarm or distress to others is not. They should be arrested.”
This sentiment was echoed by Matt Baker, also from Keswick, who called for the duo to be banned adding that in his opinion they were “totally out of touch with the town.”
Alison Lamont, owner of Relish in Keswick, complained that the pair were unwilling to keep their volume down when children were being home-schooled during the pandemic.
She said they regularly stand on benches that people sit on and they empty Market Square at a time when traders are trying to recover their businesses after
lockdown.
The pair defended their beliefs, claiming they bring hope to the town. Mr McAlpine said they do not hate anyone and that they are providing a chance for people to achieve eternal salvation.
Councillor Tony Lywood, county and town councillor for Keswick, said he had complained to police on a number of occasions.
“There is no place for bigotry in the town and as Keswick’s county councillor I will not stand for it,” he said.
He added that he felt sympathy for the Keswick Convention which is often tarred with the same brush and that if individuals wished to protest against the pair then they should do so, providing it is within the confines of the law.
Some of the commentators called on the authorities to act to stop the pair from preaching.
