A study by the Christian thinktank Theos dismissed claims that a new socially conservative religious bloc is exploiting controversy over gay marriage, abortion and the treatment of Christians at work to build a power base in the UK.

It follows a series of media articles and documentaries claiming that a network of religious pressure groups and campaigners, described by some as “fundamentalist”, is beginning to exert political influence.

But the report concluded that similarities to US evangelical pressure groups are at best superficial.

John Bingham | To read this article in full, please go to www.telegraph.co.uk