The article, written by Mark Woods, a Baptist minister and contributing editor to Christian Today who describes himself on his twitter page as a "grumpy old man," offers no new evidence, breaks no new ground, and reheats an old story, except to quote a statement from Barnabas Fund that Sookhdeo will not appeal owing to the cost, the emotional stress, and the two years it would take for the case to be heard.

At no time did Woods get in touch with Sookhdeo, either before, during, or after the trial. He was not present at the trial. He was not aware of the composition of the jury; ten white women and two white men - raising serious issues of race, gender, and above all, why was he reappointed as International director by the Barnabas board if they felt he was in any way guilty of the charges!

Dr. Sookhdeo had worked with the complainant for four years before she made her complaint. The complainant also refused an offer of independent arbitration of her complaint. A previous PA worked with him for 16 years without a single complaint. No other woman has ever come forward with similar accusations. Sookhdeo's wife, Rosemary, worked in a room on the same floor that had an open door policy.

So who is Mark Woods? He was the last editor of the Baptist Times, which closed in 2011 after 156 years. At his twitter account, he describes himself as a Baptist minister and writer and "Happy being a grumpy old man."

He has posted on his twitter account a sexually charged photo of an English breakfast worthy only of tasteless schoolboy humor. (See above)

Following the charges and conviction, Dr. Vinay Samuel, vice-chair of the Barnabas Fund UK, and a world-renowned missiologist, said that Dr. Sookhdeo had offered his resignation to the board of trustees, but the board confirmed his position as international director. Before Dr. Sookhdeo's conviction in Swindon, he had been twice cleared by internal inquiries.

Speaking in a personal capacity to the Church Times, Dr. Samuel said: "I am satisfied with the board's judgment that Patrick is innocent of the charges made against him." He suggested that, "the judgment of the court sent a mixed message in the very mild sentence he was awarded."

He spoke of there being a conspiracy to destroy Dr. Sookhdeo's ministry and undermine the Barnabas Fund.

His view was also shared by "key Anglican leaders in the UK." Dr. Samuel added, "many senior Christian leaders in the non-Western world, who are aware of the charges, have conveyed their dismay . . . and assured him and the BF trustees of their full support."

The Barnabas Fund, and Barnabas Aid International, are much bigger than one person, he said. "Patrick leads a team of gifted and dedicated people. It would be unfortunate if support for their critically important work is undermined in any way. I am very encouraged that support for the work has not diminished in any way. It is growing." Dr. Samuel also confirmed that Dr. Sookhdeo was meeting the costs of his defense from his own personal resources.

Woods' spin on this statement from the Barnabas Fund is an example of sloppy journalism from a man who turns a statement on its head, with no new evidence or research, tweets pictures like the above, and lives up to his "grumpy old man" image. The Baptist Times closed on his watch. He is doing Christian Today's bid for growth and credibility no favors.

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