A whistleblower vicar who exposed church asylum seeker scams has vowed to stand as the "anti-woke" candidate while running for chancellor of Oxford University.
Reverend Matthew Firth revealed what he referred to as a "conveyor belt" of asylum seeker baptisms that were being used by migrants who wanted to remain in the UK with the help of the Church of England.
He claimed that senior Church figures knew about the practice of sham baptisms and did nothing about it.
Rev Firth said that even the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was unwilling "at the moment to be totally honest about those dynamics that we're seeing in this area".
Reverend Matthew Firth revealed what he referred to as a "conveyor belt" of asylum seeker baptisms that were being used by migrants who wanted to remain in the UKHouse of CommonsThe revelation came after it was disclosed that Abdul Ezedi - the man responsible for the Clapham chemical attack - was granted asylum by a judge after claiming he was a Christian convert, despite having had his application denied twice prior.
Rev Firth fell out with the Church of England establishment in 2020, leaving the church and joining the Free Church of England as a vicar instead.
He announced his candidacy in a tweet, saying: "I am the anti-establishment anti woke candidate.
“As an ordained Anglican clergyman with significant experience in parish ministry, university chaplaincy, and church planting, and with a background in astrophysics, I have always sought to be shaped by the transcendental values of truth, unity, beauty, and goodness.
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“As an academic institution with its roots firmly buried in the Christian faith and bearing the motto Dominus illuminatio mea – the Lord is my light – the University of Oxford must also seek to be shaped by those values.
“As Chancellor, I would encourage the university and hold it to account in maintaining its adherence to those values.
"At a time when so many great academic institutions are being ruined by woke ideology, I would seek to call the University of Oxford to walk a different path: a path of truth, unity, beauty, and goodness, in the light of the Lord.
“Where the university walks in this way, I would champion it and encourage it.
"In contrast, should the university or any college or department walk the way of wokery, or should any part of the university erode freedom of speech and academic enquiry, I would offer a strong public rebuke.
“Many will seek to install a woke establishment candidate as Chancellor, but if you want to encourage the values of truth, unity, beauty, and goodness, please vote for me: your anti-woke candidate.”
Rev Firth could be going up against former Tory Leader Lord Hague and ex-Labour MP Lord Mandelson, with both said to be considering standing.
Two former Prime Ministers, Theresa May and Boris Johnson are also said to be contenders linked with the post, but both have said to have ruled themselves out.
