Giving his reaction to Bideford Town Council losing its High Court ruling regarding prayers as part of its meetings, The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Revd Michael Langrish, said he would encourage councils in his area to continue holding prayers before the start of their statutory business.
However, the ruling is unambiguous in its conclusion that;
The saying of prayers as part of the formal meeting of a Council is not lawful under s111 of the Local Government Act 1972, and there is no statutory power permitting the practice to continue. If it were lawful, the manner in which the practice is carried out in the circumstances of Bideford does not infringe either Mr Bone’s human rights nor does it unlawfully discriminate indirectly against him on the grounds of his lack of religious belief.In calling for other town councils in Devon to continue holding prayers, the bishop is inciting them to commit a criminal offence.
