The former Archbishop of Canterbury has hit out at what he sees as the vilification of Christians in Britain.

In a submission to the European Court of Human Rights, Lord Carey said that Christians are being “vilified” by the state and face being sacked for their faith.

His appeal was made in connection to the cases of four British Christians who have experienced disciplinary action in the workplace for expressing their faith.

Two of the cases relate to wearing the cross at work.

In the submission seen by the Daily Telegraph, Lord Carey said there was a “drive to remove Judaeo-Christian values from the public square” and that some believers were being treated as “bigots”.

“In a country where Christians can be sacked for manifesting their faith, are vilified by State bodies, are in fear of reprisal or even arrest for expressing their views on sexual ethics, something is very wrong,” he said.

“It affects the moral and ethical compass of the United Kingdom. Christians are excluded from many sectors of employment simply because of their beliefs; beliefs which are not contrary to the public good.”

He goes on to argue that the rulings in recent court cases involving Christians who tried to manifest their faith have left religious freedom without “any substantive effect” in Britain.

“It is now Christians who are persecuted; often sought out and framed by homosexual activists,” he said.

“Christians are driven underground. There appears to be a clear animus to the Christian faith and to Judaeo-Christian values. Clearly the courts of the United Kingdom require guidance.”