Boris Johnson has sparked serious concern with the appointment of Fiona Bruce MP as his new envoy for freedom of religion and belief. It was announced on Sunday (20 December) that Bruce, a staunch Christian and member of the Evangelical Alliance, will work on behalf of the government to promote the UK’s stance on “religious freedom” abroad, triggering concerns regarding her record on LGBT+ and women’s rights. The prime minister was “delighted” to appoint Bruce as “a passionate advocate for tolerance and freedom”. But the move was strongly condemned by the leading human rights charity Humanists UK, which highlighted her many efforts against the rights of the non-religious. “Fiona has been a committed opponent of [freedom of belief] for the non-religious at home – for many years, the most committed and active opponent in parliament – as well as a strong opponent of the human rights of women and the human rights of LGBT+ people,” the charity said in a statement.