[2][3] He then studied practical theology and Christian ethics at the University of St Andrews, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) in 1992.

The BBC reported that during the Epiphany service in January 2017, the Quran was read from the lectern, including "the Islamic teaching that Jesus is not the son of God and should not be worshipped.

"[8] Holdsworth was strongly criticised by Gavin Ashenden, former Honorary Chaplain to the Queen,[8] who stated the comment was "unkind" and "profoundly un-Christian" and added this was the "theological equivalent of the curse of the wicked fairy in one of the fairytales".

[9][10] Holdsworth replied that the controversial blog post in question was two years old, and "was entirely about the church and its policies around LGBT inclusion" and not about the royal family.

However, he did offer an apology, stating:[11] The ironic comment that I made quite a while ago could be seen as hurtful to members of the Royal Family, a group of people whom I actually rather admire.

They need peace and young members of the Royal Family need privacy too.Holdsworth stood for the Bridge of Allan ward of Stirling Council in May 2003.

[12] Holdsworth stood for the Parliament of the United Kingdom in the constituency of Stirling at the 2005 General Election as the Liberal Democrat candidate.