British court drops ex-Mormon suit against church

President Thomas S. Monson speaks during the opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Salt Lake City. The president of the Mormon church says worldwide membership has hit 15 million, representing a three-fold increase over the three decades. Monson announced the milestone during the opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday morning. The biannual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints brings 100,000 members to Salt Lake City. More than half of church members live outside of the United States. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A British court says the president of the Mormon church doesn’t have to answer to fraud allegations, and says a lawsuit brought by a former Mormon leader attempts to manipulate the court to attack the religious beliefs of others.

A decision issued Thursday by Judge Howard Riddle of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court closes the case against President Thomas S. Monson.

The lawsuit was brought by Thomas Phillips, who left the church in 2004 and now runs a website challenging church history and doctrine.

Phillips says the church perpetuates lies to maintain a steady stream of tithing income. He called the ruling a setback.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement saying they are satisfied with the decision and the case should have never been brought.

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