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Synod votes in favour of BNP ban Synod votes in favour of BNP ban
(about 1 hour later)
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 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, from a lay synod member who works for the police, was passed by 322 votes to 13, with 20 abstentions.The proposal, from a lay synod member who works for the police, was passed by 322 votes to 13, with 20 abstentions.
Plans to ban clergy from the BNP are modelled on a policy adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers.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.
However, banning clergy from joining political parties had not been possible under current rules.However, banning clergy from joining political parties had not been possible under current rules.
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.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. She said a membership ban would send a clear message against racial prejudice to the public at large. I joined... the tribe of Jesus Christ and in that tribe all are welcome Dr John Sentamu
It received support from the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu and the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.
Previously, the synod - the Church's parliament - passed a resolution deploring what it has called the "sin of racial prejudice".
But Dr Williams warned: "We have to name names, we have to talk about particular political organisations not just racism generally."
The motion called on Church of England bishops to draw up a policy banning clergy, trainee clergy and staff who speak for the Church from membership of the BNP.
Dr Sentamu told the synod he was a member of the Baganda tribe.
But he added: "As a Christian, I joined another tribe, it is the tribe of Jesus Christ, and in that tribe all are welcome."
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.
Race equality
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".
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 states no member of the police service may be a member of an organisation whose constitution, aims, objectives or pronouncements contradict the "general duty" to promote race equality. This specifically includes the BNP.
Previously, the synod - the Church's parliament - passed a resolution deploring what it has called the "sin of racial prejudice". Miss Gnanadoss' proposal followed the publication last year of a list of 12,000 names of BNP members, which included five clergy.
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 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.