Festive plan fails to cheer MSP

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Plans to replace Holyrood's Christmas carol service with a festive evening have hit a sour note with an MSP.

Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said Christian elements of Wednesday's celebration were being lost and should be reinstated.

"This is the Scottish Parliament taking Christ out of Christmas," said the MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife.

However, a spokesman for the parliament insisted that there would be a strong "Christmas focus" to the event.

The spokesman said the event for politicians and staff would include hymns, a gospel reading and blessing.

Mr Fraser said the "PC brigade" had replaced the previous service with a non-Christian event and had not consulted MSPs and staff.

'Mulled wine'

He said: "It does a massive disservice to all religions.

"People of all religions and none respect each other's beliefs but that should not mean that the parliament cannot hold celebrations for any particular faith."

"I have lodged a parliamentary motion calling for this ludicrous 'festive evening' to be scrapped, and our carol service reinstated.

"Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the parliamentary authorities need to remember that."

The parliament spokesman said: "The Christmas focus is strong, with traditional carols and songs, a Gospel reading, an ecumenical blessing and even mince pies and mulled wine and fruit juice planned."

The draft programme for the event includes the songs In the Bleak Mid-Winter and Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

An ecumenical blessing by Action of Churches Together in Scotland has yet to be confirmed.