In a right pickle

Wednesday, 22 February 2012 15:12

Written by Editor

Eric Pickles says he plans to overturn the law that prohibits prayers to be said prior to council meetings using a little used local law that allows local councils to decide for themselves whether to have prayers or not.  He has fast-tracked the implementation of a general power of competence –  contained in last year's Localism Act –  enabling councils to do anything an individual can do that is not illegal. In Bideford, Devon, an atheist member of the council took the question to the high court and won a case last week to stop prayers being said.