<p>Viraj imprisons himself in the Manchester Church and doesn’t step a foot outside. He lives in the vestry and forms a bond with Father John and his family. No one knows how long he will stay there.</p><p>A team of supporters form the Viraj Mendis Defence Campaign and watch over him 24 hours a day, every day.</p><p>The media descends to cover the story starting a culture war that will directly challenge Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s authority. </p><p>Presenter: Father Azariah France-Williams.
Producer: Jen Dale.
Sound design: Kasel Kundola.
Online producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive producer: Ciaran Tracey.
Additional sound recording by Seb Rabas, Graham Kirk and Jan Seebeck. Original material recorded and licensed by Big City Nights.
Executive editor: Andrew Bowman.
Commissioning editor: Alistair Miskin.</p><p>Photograph of Viraj Mendis: Paul Mattsson.
Audio from VMDC campaign video: Revolutionary Communist Group.</p>
