Angry members of the public chanted for a Leeds preacher to be arrested in Briggate this week after he was caught on camera asserting that "homosexuality is an abomination".
Police were seen escorting a man from the city centre on Tuesday afternoon as a surrounding crowd chanted for his arrest.
Various preachers were seen using a microphone to spout homophobic slurs and voice offensive and awful views on the LGBTQ+ community.
Local man Jordan Denny captured the moment on film, sharing a clip showing a man speaking down a microphone to passers-by:
"Does God accept the LGBT community? Listen, homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of God.
"It says in the bible if a man lies with a man the way a man would lie with a woman it is an abomination."
He continues: "The bible says that lesbianism is [an] unnatural and vile passion. The bible says that homosexuals shall not inherit the kingdom of God, so God does not accept homosexuality."
Jordan was also with a friend at the time, who is transgender and was apparently abused by one of the preachers multiple times as he repeatedly "called her a man".
At first, it was only a handful of people challenging the preacher - but they soon grew into a huge crowd.
"Once we started chanting more came around and we had about 70 people supporting us against discrimination," said Jordan.
"He was Anti LGBTQ+, racist and said that this was freedom of speech. However this is a hate crime. We quickly called the police and made sure they got taken down and arrested!
"I’m so happy that as a city we became closer and came together to stop this awful speech! He was making us all feel very little and overpowered us with his speaker."
Police have confirmed they still have the man in custody following his arrest yesterday afternoon.
A spokesman for the force said: "Police in Leeds received several reports of an ongoing hate incident on Briggate in Leeds during Tuesday afternoon.
"Officers attended and located and arrested a male on suspicion of public order offences. He remains in custody and enquiries are ongoing.
"All reports of hate offending are taken very seriously by West Yorkshire Police and are fully investigated."
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Inside Sheffield’s new supersize JD Sports Store that has just opened in Meadowhall
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
9th June 2021 
