Bideford Council will appeal council prayers ruling

Bideford Council reportedly decided last night to appeal against the High Court's decision that prayers during Council meetings were unlawful.

Keith Porteous Wood, Executive Director of the National Secular Society commented:

"We were expecting this. The Society is consulting its lawyers as to the best course of action.

"The Bideford case has prompted a great deal of support from the public and some hefty donations, for which we are most grateful, but we are still quite some way short of the anticipated cost of a hearing in the Court of Appeal. Bideford council's costs are being indemnified by the Christian Institute, but the NSS has to fund itself."

To contribute to the NSS fighting fund to keep this ruling intact please donate online or by post to NSS (Appeal), 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.

Ahead of last night's meeting, Bideford mayor Trevor Johns said:

"If the mayor wishes to have prayers, as is tradition, then the meeting should proceed with prayers.

"Anyone who does not want to enter the council chamber until the prayers are over is being disrespectful to the mayor."