Christians have launched a petition in support of US evangelist Franklin Graham whose Sheffield Arena show was cancelled after calls by LGBT+ leaders.

Andrew Pocock, from Maltby, started the petition which has so far gathered 35 signatures from the Christian community.

He said “hundreds” were “looking forward” to the event before it was called off and their petition statement – which was sent to council leader Julie Dore – warned the council of potential legal action from Mr Graham.

It said: “We remind the council that free speech is protected in our law, so the council now risks a legal challenge.

“Also, may we remind the council that a contract was in place between Mr Graham’s association and their chosen venue, with considerable costs incurred in advance. Cancellation of the venue leaves the council open to litigation for consequential losses. Will the council squander public monies fighting any legal challenge?”

Mr Graham has long been a controversial figure, viewed by many, including some British evangelicals, as homophobic, Islamophobic, and politically extreme.

He was due to speak at FlyDSA Arena on 6 June but the venue operator – Sheffield International Venues – said it did “not endorse” his views.

Mr Graham denied he was preaching hatred or inciting violence and said: “My speech doesn’t hurt anybody.”

Sheffield Council and SIV jointly came to the decision to ban the event.

Council leader Julie Dore called his views “repulsive” and said, if allowed to come, he could affect the “long-established values that we all hold so dear in Sheffield”.

Rt Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, bishop of Sheffield, has also said: “Mr Graham’s rhetoric is repeatedly and unnecessarily inflammatory and in my opinion represents a risk to the social cohesion of our city.”

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The event was part of an eight-city tour around the UK – all shows of which were banned.

Mr Graham publically said he wants to avoid suing for cancellations but that his lawyers are fighting to force entertainment venues across the country to reverse their decisions.