The head of more than a million evangelicals in the UK has called on the government to accept the fact that a renewed approach is required for its Respect Action Plan to progress and ultimately for a degree of respect to be restored to Britain’s society.

The General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, Rev Joel Edwards, urged, “Respect is a fundamental value that is vital to the wellbeing of every community. However, rather than focussing its strategy on simply the negative actions of a small minority the Government should highlight the positive contribution of the respectful majority of young people up and down the country.”

Edwards was speaking as the Evangelical Alliance launched its second annual Champions of Respect Awards, which is being operated in partnership with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance and leading Christian youth organisations Youth for Christ, Crusaders and the Girls’ Brigade.

In 2005, Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, along with Rev Edwards, presented Gemma Gibson with the Anthony Walker Memorial Prize for her pioneering community radio station.