Bishop of Fulham Apologises for Premature Church Concert Shutdown in London

The Bishop of Fulham, Jonathan Baker, apologized after abruptly ending a City Academy Voices choir concert at St Andrew's Church in Holborn by ordering the performers and audience to leave, calling their music a "terrible racket." The incident occurred shortly after 10pm, despite the choir having booked the church until 11pm. Bishop Baker appeared barefoot and in a dressing gown when he interrupted the concert, which led to boos from the audience and prevented some singers from performing their final pieces. In a formal apology, he acknowledged speaking in haste, expressed regret for the distress caused, and promised the choir remains welcome to use the space in the future. Audience members criticized the bishop's actions as disrespectful to the performers' efforts. The bishop committed to ensuring such an incident would not happen again and hopes to maintain a positive relationship with the choir.