News Bulletin 17 February 2012

Government Minister Eric Pickles, has vowed to overturn a High Court decision, in which Mr Justice Ouseley ruled that prayers held as a formal part of council meetings are unlawful — and at an extraordinary meeting of Bideford Town Council this week, – councillors have decided to appeal the High Court ruling — David Cameron and the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow have backed the saying of prayers in the House of Commons — David Burrowes MP, is facing a campaign against him, led by his own constituency treasurer, Phillip Dawson – accusing him of ‘intolerance’ over his opposition to same sex marriage — Plans to keep brain dead patients ‘alive’, so that their organs can be harvested for transplant, are being considered by the British Medical Association — Children as young as five are being targeted to participate in a homosexual and transgender storytelling event at a Church of Scotland venue in Edinburgh — And the Queen has defended the Church of England’s role in protecting freedom of religion in an event to mark her Diamond Jubilee.