Dudley MP Ian Austin leaps to defence of vicar under-fire for bringing up EU in council meeting prayers
MP Ian Austin has waded into the row over a vicar who was fiercely criticised after brining up the EU during prayers at a council meeting.
Reverend Andrew Wickens' comments led to calls for him to be banned from future Dudley Council meetings. He was accused by UKIP councillors of involving himself in a political argument, an area they said he should remain neutral.
However, Councillor Waltho has since told the Express & Star he did not see anything wrong with what Rev Wickens said.
And Mr Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North, also leapt to the defence of the under-fire reverend, arguing he had a right to say whatever he wanted.
He said: "Andrew Wickens does really important work in Dudley, making a very important contribution to not just religious life, but to civic, cultural and educational life of the town and the suggestion that he should be banned from council meetings is unacceptable.
"When I look around the world, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to live in a country where religious leaders are able to speak out. In fact, it has always been the job of religious leaders to say things politicians might not like.
"I'm very surprised that some of our councillors need to be reminded that freedom of speech is one of the most important principles on which our free and democratic country is built. That means people have the right to say things with which other people disagree. People should debate and argue with each other if they disagree, but we have the freedom to say what we like provided it does not incite hatred or violence. "
Mr Wickens, is the vicar in charge at St Thomas and St Luke's Church, known as Top Church, in Dudley. He has also been backed by the council's leader Pete Lowe, who accused UKIP of 'political posturing'.
