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Synod to consider BNP clergy ban Synod votes in favour of BNP ban
(about 10 hours later)
The Church of England synod is to consider a motion to ban clergy and some Church staff from belonging to the far-right British National Party. The General Synod of the Church of England has voted overwhelmingly in favour of measures to stop clergy being members of the British National Party.
The proposal made by a lay synod member who works for the police is modelled on a policy adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The proposal, from a lay synod member who works for the police, was passed by 322 votes to 13, with 20 abstentions.
Current rules do not allow for a ban on clergy joining political parties. Plans to ban clergy from the BNP are modelled on a policy adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Previously, Church of England leaders have explicitly called for voters to shun the BNP during recent elections.Previously, Church of England leaders have explicitly called for voters to shun the BNP during recent elections.
The proposer of the motion, Vasantha Gnanadoss, who works for the Metropolitan Police, says the measure is necessary to prevent parties such as the BNP from associating themselves with the Church. However, banning clergy from joining political parties had not been possible under current rules.
She also says a membership ban would send a clear message against racial prejudice to the public at large. The proposer of the motion, Vasantha Gnanadoss, who works for the Metropolitan Police, said the measure was necessary to prevent parties such as the BNP from associating themselves with the Church.
She said a membership ban would send a clear message against racial prejudice to the public at large.
The BNP campaigns for the voluntary repatriation of immigrants, but chairman Nick Griffin has repeatedly insisted that neither he nor his party are racist.The BNP campaigns for the voluntary repatriation of immigrants, but chairman Nick Griffin has repeatedly insisted that neither he nor his party are racist.
The party's website says it "unashamedly addresses itself to the issues and concerns of the indigenous British population and... seeks to ensure that British people remain the majority population in this country".The party's website says it "unashamedly addresses itself to the issues and concerns of the indigenous British population and... seeks to ensure that British people remain the majority population in this country".
'Racial prejudice'
The Association of Chief Police Officers' policy on political party membership speaks of a "general duty to promote race equality".The Association of Chief Police Officers' policy on political party membership speaks of a "general duty to promote race equality".
Previously, the synod - the Church's parliament - passed a resolution deploring what it has called the "sin of racial prejudice". I think it's totally over the top, totally unnecessary Alison Ruoff, Synod lay member Previously, the synod - the Church's parliament - passed a resolution deploring what it has called the "sin of racial prejudice".
But banning clergy, trainee clergy and staff who speak for the Church from membership of particular political parties would be a more fundamental step. But banning clergy, trainee clergy and staff who speak for the Church from membership of particular political parties is a more fundamental step.
The proposal follows the publication last year of a list of 12,000 names of BNP members, which included five clergy. The proposal followed the publication last year of a list of 12,000 names of BNP members, which included five clergy.
The Church of England said none of them was a serving Anglican priest.The Church of England said none of them was a serving Anglican priest.
Canon Ivor Smith Cameron, former chaplain to the Queen, told the BBC that there were members of the clergy who had joined the BNP, but their numbers were "very, very few".
Explaining his support for a ban, he said: "One of the reasons for my existence as a clergyman is to preserve racial and community harmony and the work of the BNP clearly does not do that.
"Furthermore, in its websites, its blogs... it is proclaiming itself to be a Christian organisation and I resent that deeply.
"The Church is simply trying to follow where other bodies in this country are moving."
Alison Ruoff, a lay member of the synod, disagreed, saying BNP membership should not be banned "in a free country".
"I think it's totally over the top, totally unnecessary," she said. "I want to trust clergy. The more you say, 'Thou shalt not,' the more people want to.
"And of course, even if you don't join it, anybody, but anybody, including clergy, can vote BNP without anybody knowing."
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, addressed the meeting on Monday.
He expressed his regrets about the divisions in the Church of England and said there was a need for unity at a time when both churches were facing the challenge of a "very secular society".