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Pickles Restores Ritual Of Council Prayers

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has defended his decision to reverse a High Court ban on councils in England holding prayers at the start of business.

The politician made the move using a general power of competence - contained in the Localism Act - which enables councils to do anything an individual can do that is not illegal.

It was meant to take effect from April, but Mr Pickles signed a parliamentary order bringing it in immediately.

He believes this will render last week's court ruling - that followed objections to prayers at Bideford Town Council in Devon - irrelevant.

He told Sky News: "The relationship between Christianity and government is an important part of society so I took this (decision) to restore the law to where everybody thought it was.

"I think the ability for our politicians to pray before meetings is something that should be protected as a basic right of religious freedom.

"I can participate in prayers in the House of Commons so if I can do that why shouldn't councils throughout the country do it?"

He added: "Individual councils will be able to make the decision not the courts - and I don't think you can celebrate our multi-faith nation by persecuting Christians."

Mr Justice Ouseley ruled last week that councils lacked power under section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972 to hold prayers "as part of a formal local authority meeting".

The National Secular Society and an atheist ex-councillor had argued that Bideford Council was acting unlawfully by putting prayers on meeting agendas.

The ruling was condemned by government ministers and clergy.

It is understood the ritual dates back in Bideford to the days of Queen Elizabeth I, and the council has recently voted twice to retain it.

Mr Pickles also said: "The High Court judgement has far wider significance than just the municipal agenda of Bideford Town Council.

"By effectively reversing that illiberal ruling, we are striking a blow for localism over central interference, for freedom to worship over intolerant secularism, for Parliamentary sovereignty over judicial activism, and for long-standing British liberties over modern-day political correctness.

"Last week's case should be seen as a wake-up call. For too long, the public sector has been used to marginalise and attack faith in public life, undermining the very foundations of the British nation. But this week, the tables have been turned."