Secularist of the Year to speak at Greenbelt

Human Rights campaigner and winner of the 2012 Secularist of the Year award, Peter Tatchell, 38 is to speak at Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival in August.

Mr Tatchell is an active campaigner for human and gay rights and has been described as a “modern-day prophet” by the former bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway.

The speaker attracted international attention when he attempted a citizen's arrest of Robert Mugabe in 1999 and 2001. He is also the author of six books including Safer Sexy: the Guide to Gay Sex Safely.

The appearence of the controversial figure at the festival in 2010 resulted in Anglican Mainstream calling for a boycott of the festival.

In an open letter to the festival organisers, the group said they were "very concerned and alarmed" about “the further gayification of Greenbelt”.

38 Degrees director Hannah Lownsborough and sociologist and author Tony Campolo have also been announced as speakers for this year's event.

The first Greenbelt festival was held at Prospect Farm in Suffolk in 1974. This year's four day event at Cheltenham Racecourse is expected to attract 20,000 people to enjoy talks, music and art.