The Metropolitan Police have apologized after a Christian singer was wrongly instructed she was not allowed to sing hymns on London's Oxford Avenue.
Harmonie London, a well-liked YouTuber with over 300,000 subscribers, was approached by volunteer officer Maya Hadzhipet after she sang John Newton's Wonderful Grace and Goodness of God from Bethel.
The 20-year-old says the officer threatened to take her tools if she didn't cease taking part in.
Within the stunning encounter caught on video, Ms Hadžipetková instructed the singer that “it’s not allowed to sing church songs exterior church grounds”.
When London challenged her, the officer caught her tongue out on the digital camera.
Police are nonetheless investigating the incident.
In a press release, the Met apologized and clarified that the officer “was incorrect to say that church songs can’t be sung exterior church grounds”.
“We apologize for the offense triggered and can proceed to be taught,” it stated.
The Met claimed the singer was approached for busking.
“The essence of that is the particular regulation concerning busking. The officer is aware of she might have dealt with it in another way and is chatting with her supervisor,” it stated.
London instructed the Each day Mail she was “sharing the gospel”, not busking.
Footage of the assembly uploaded to YouTube has been considered greater than 50,000 instances.
Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe known as for the officer to be “faraway from the volunteer pressure”.
Chatting with GB Information, she stated: “She actually has the legislation all incorrect and she or he was clearly having fun with herself an excessive amount of making an attempt to boss that lady round.
“And there's no purpose in any respect to say you possibly can't sing. I might stroll down the road singing Christian Troopers Ahead and I wouldn't be offended in any respect.”
