The British Pakistani Christian Association has responded to claims it desecrated the Christian cross by re-enacting Jesus’ last walk through Ilford on Tuesday.

Wilson Chowdhry fired back at critics by saying the event went without a hitch and he felt the public responded positively.

He said: “The event went fine. There were many people on the street and the reaction was fairly good.

“They were taking pictures, videos on their phone and saying ‘well done’.

“I am not sure who said it was a desecration of a Christian symbol, but I assume they are not of a Christian faith. It was to remind people of the reason why we celebrate Easter. That is all we were trying to do.”

Before Tuesday’s walk, also in Ilford Town Centre, he said he hoped it would “remind people of [Jesus’] great sacrifice”.

But Annette Pink, of Gants Hill, who saw it with friends, said: “[The walk] ¬really upset a lot of people. I think it was poor taste.

“My friends were there and they were all moaning about it and some elderly people were moaning to the police about it.”

But Mr Chowdhry said the police did not bring any of these concerns to his attention.

He said: “There were eight police officers there, at our request, in case anyone tried to do anything.

“The police would have told us if there were any requests to stop the event.”