THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has criticised a ruling at the High Court today that having prayers on council meeting agendas is unlawful, saying that the right to worship is a "fundamental and hard-fought British liberty".
A test case bid to outlaw prayers before local council meetings was won by the National Secular Society and an atheist councillor, Clive Bone.
They challenged the practice of Bideford town council, Devon, of having religious prayers on meeting agendas.
Today Mr Justice Ouseley, sitting in London, ruled: ''The saying of prayers as part of the formal meeting of a council is not lawful under section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972, and there is no statutory power permitting the practice to continue.''
Mr Bone later left the council because of its "refusal to adjust" its prayer policy.
Society lawyers argued that council members who were not religious were being "indirectly discriminated against", in breach of human rights laws.
But the case was not won on human rights grounds, but on a point of statutory construction of local government legislation.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles described today's ruling as "surprising and disappointing".
He said: "While welcoming and respecting fellow British citizens who belong to other faiths, we are a Christian country, with an established Church in England, governed by the Queen.
"Christianity plays an important part in the culture, heritage and fabric of our nation.
"Public authorities - be it Parliament or a parish council - should have the right to say prayers before meetings if they wish.
"The right to worship is a fundamental and hard-fought British liberty. Read on and comment » | Friday, February 10, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Religion in modern Britain: ten recent conflicts – A test case bid to outlaw prayers before local council meetings has been won by the National Secular Society and an atheist councillor, Clive Bone. Here are ten recent conflicts over the role of religion in modern life. » | Matthew Holehouse, and Caitlin Morrissey | Friday, February 10, 2012
