Norfolk clergy shun BNP candidate

Leading Norfolk clergymen are calling on voters in Norwich North to shun the BNP at Thursday's by-election.

In a statement, the six top churchmen repeated concerns they expressed before last month's European and county council elections - and distanced themselves from BNP candidate Robert West.

"It is important for us to do so since the British National Party candidate styles himself as 'Revd' and is often to be seen dressed as a clergyman," they said.

"He belongs to no known denomination and voters should not be misled by his adoption of clerical dress. The policies he promotes are not shared by any of the Churches we serve and are contrary to the teaching of the New Testament.

"There we read that in Christ 'there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female' (Galatians 3.28).

Christians in Norfolk and Norwich have had a long tradition of welcoming the stranger. We pray that this generous instinct may continue to be celebrated here."

The statement is signed by the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich (Church of England); the Rt Rev Michael Evans, Bishop of East Anglia (Roman Catholic); the Rev Graham Thompson, East Anglia District (Methodist Church); the Rev Richard Lewis, regional minister, Norfolk (Baptist Union); the Rev Paul Whittle, moderator, Eastern Province (United Reformed Church); and John Myhill (Society of Friends).

Norfolk Eastern Daily Press