Islington mayor Cllr Jason Jackson speaking at the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God

THE mayor of Islington has come under fire for visiting a church that has been the subject of allegations regarding emotional coercion and financial demands on its members.

Councillor Jason Jack­son went to the head­quarters of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) earlier this month for a “community day”, but people who have left the church have said that such visits from local officials risk “legiti­mising” its practices.

The UCKG has disputed claims made about its work. Its base is the old Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park.

Rachael Reign became involved with UCKG as a teenager and said for eight years she was the subject of coercive control.

Since leaving in 2014, she has founded a group for “survivors” of the church and said that it was an “institutional scandal” that public officials continued to fraternise with the organisation.

She told the Tribune: “This visit only amplifies them and legitimises them and gives them clout.”

Ms Reign added that it was an “outrage” that Islington Police also attended the event, which has been heavily featured on UCKG’s social media feeds.

A report by Surviving Universal UK in April 2025 highlighted concerns regarding various practices in the church. These included claims of gay-conversion therapy, using “exorcisms” on vulnerable adults and financial exploitation.

Ms Reign has said she was expected to give 10 per cent of her income to the church or she would be “robbing from God.”

She said she has suffered with PTSD since leaving.

She told the Tribune: “They controlled what underwear I wore, what nail polish, they isolated me from my friends and family. I was subjected to horrible exorcisms when I was 13 and 14, and then I had to perform them on other people.

“Age 19, I was married to another member of the church. When I left, my mental health was completely shattered.”

Cllr Jackson said his visit was to support the volunteer-led soup kitchen, and told the Tribune: “As mayor, I have a civic constitutional duty to attend any community event when formally invited. I was there in a strictly ceremonial capacity. It’s not an endorsement.”

Asked whether there were restrictions on the types of organisations whose events he would attend, Cllr Jackson said: “Of course there is a line, but from my point of view, imagine all the events I go to, there might be one or two organisations that have issues or what looks like an issue. To me, it’s more ceremonial, not to endorse it. Look at all the issues in the Church of England or Catholic Church, should I not go there?”

Of reports which have been circulating since 2022, he said: “The concerns that have been raised, the safeguarding and the past allegations, I take all of those extremely seriously. I wouldn’t allow any organisation that was doing anything wrong to use me as an endorsement. All I was thinking of is that, just like the police were there, it’s an important part of community cohesion.”

He said that having reflected he probably would not have gone to the church, adding: “I personally think at this point I would be looking at how I make decisions around what events I attend. What I saw was the community-led side of things, not the other side of things. I was meeting residents who were there, talking to them, people who have accessed support there, volunteers.”

A spokesperson for UCKG said: “UCKG is a registered charity with 38 branches across the UK, operating with full financial transparency under the oversight of the Charity Commission. Our members are free to live their lives as they choose, and our safeguarding policies are designed to protect and uphold that freedom.

“The claims made by Rachael Reign – which are historic, previously denied, and remain unverified – are disputed and do not reflect the experiences of the vast majority of our 5,000-plus members.

“Many have found purpose, support and healing through UCKG, from overcoming addiction to leaving gang life behind. We continue to engage openly with regulators and remain confident in the strength of our policies, safeguard­ing and pastoral care.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Our officers visited dozens of places of worship and attended community events across London as part of outreach work during Hate Crime Awareness week in early October.

“The sessions were designed to raise awareness of hate crime and encourage anyone with concerns or allegations to come forward and feel confident police will support them and investigate.

“Our Safer Neighbour­hood teams are committed to engaging with all communities across London to increase trust and provide a high standard of policing.”