The British Foreign Secretary has written 40 letters to persecuted Christians, according to the religious freedom charity Open Doors.

One such letter was sent to a Nigerian woman who was abducted as a teenager by Boko Haram militants. Jeremy Hunt’s letter to her stated: “I cannot begin to imagine the horrors of what you have suffered. I stand in awe of the great faith that has given you the strength to rebuild your life and dignity.

“I want you to know that you are not alone that British diplomats continue to raise your situation that we continue to fight your corner and that we stand with those who are being denied the basic rights to practice their faiths.”

Erin James of Open Doors said she was “absolutely thrilled to see [Mr Hunt] engaging with Christians like this” and said the woman, Esther, reacted similarly when the charity delivered the letter to her.

“Esther was completely shocked when this letter came through,” she explained.

“She couldn’t believe that he even knew who she was. So it’s so wonderful to see that girl realise how supported she is, how loved she is by Christians in the UK and around the world.”