Paul Robinson, chief executive of Release International, which supports persecuted Christians worldwide, said he wanted to see religious freedom placed at the “very heart of UK foreign policy”.

Earlier this year, the government accepted in full the recommendations of a major report into persecution commissioned by the Foreign Office and carried out by the Bishop of Truro.

The report warned that the persecution of Christians was reaching genocidal levels and called upon the government to initiate a new UN Security Council resolution protecting freedom of religion or belief.  Other recommendations included imposing sanctions on countries with the worst track records on religious freedom.

Release International is now urging Boris Johnson to make good on the government’s pledge to implement the report’s recommendations.

“We congratulate the Prime Minister on his success and renewed mandate,” said Mr Robinson.

“Release urges Mr Johnson’s new government to keep its pledge to make the protection of religious freedom at the very heart of UK foreign policy.”