by John Prince
East Riding Council has come under fire for leaving out the Lord’s Prayer at a full council meeting.
It happened earlier this month at the meeting, when the traditional Christian prayer is usually led by the chaplain before the order of business.
In the chaplain’s absence, chairman Cllr Linda Johnson announced that she had prepared a more secular reflection in the interests of inclusivity.
But Reform UK group has complained to officials after the prayer was dispensed with after ‘decades of tradition’.
East Wolds and Coastal councillor, Denise Howard, said the move left her blindsided.
Cllr Howard said: “As a Christian, I resent being told that there would be a moment’s silence during which I could mutter the Lord’s Prayer under my breath if I so wished. I couldn’t believe what I was being told, and it certainly didn’t sound very inclusive to me.”
During the silence, a councillor from another party began to recite the prayer and others joined in.
At the first break in proceedings, Reform councillor Samantha Christon-Whyte left the chamber and went to the members services office to complain.
Cllr Christon-Whyte, who represents Mid Holderness said: “I was shocked. It was totally unexpected and it took us a few moments to process what was happening. Religion aside, I just don’t think tradition should so be so easily dispensed with.”
She added: “I now want to know whether this decision was taken unilaterally. If it wasn’t, then who else knew? Why were we not informed and asked whether we were in agreement?”
Reform UK members have arranged a meeting with a senior official to discuss the matter.
Before the meeting, Cllr Linda Johnson had said: “I am very conscious there are councillors here from different religions and world view backgrounds, which is why today, in the absence of my chaplain, I have prepared a more secular reflection in the interests of inclusivity rather than the Lord’s Prayer.
“And there will be a moment’s silence, so if you wish to mutter the Lord’s Prayer under your breath, please do so. Please stand if you are able, while we consider our shared purpose here today.”
The full meeting is available to view on YouTube.