‘Aggressive secularism’ blamed for London’s problems

LONDON is plagued by a shedload of problems – and it’s all the fault of “the aggressive secularisation” of the city by out-of-touch politicians.

So says mayoral candidate Alan Craig, of the Christian Choice party, who promises to halt the breakdown of family life in the capital by bribing couples with £1,000 to get married.

Straight couples only, we assume, for it’s doubtful that gay couples entering a civil partnership would qualify for this windfall under a Christian regime.

All of Craig’s ideas for a godlier London is contained in a deadly dull election broadcast. But – and here’s a surprise – the broadcast was far too exciting for the BBC and ITV, who insisted it be censored.

Why?

Because it was deemed offensive to Muslims.

Christian Choice is outraged – and, it must be said – so are we.

So what did Craig say that sent the BBC and ITV running for cover?

You may know about plans by a separatist Islamic group to build Europe’s biggest mosque next to the Olympics site in West Ham. I think it’s a bad idea that will bring division and I’m glad moderate Muslims support my stance in opposing it.

According to Mediawatchwatch

The BBC didn’t like “separatist”, which it said was libellous, or “moderate”, which implied that TJ (Tablighi Jamaat) was extremist. So “separatist” was changed to “controversial” and “moderate” was removed – only for ITV to intervene, saying that “controversial” should apply to the plans, not the group, and that “some” should be inserted before “Muslim leaders”.

The final approved version reads:

You may know about controversial plans by an Islamic group to build Europe’s biggest mosque next to the Olympics site in West Ham. I think it’s a bad idea that will bring division and I’m glad some Muslims leaders support my stance in opposing it.

Craig is now taking the broadcasters to the High Court, claiming “political interference” and breech of his right to freedom of speech under the European Convention of Human Rights.

Said Craig:

I am advised that libel is a defamation of an individual, and no-where in the broadcast do we defame individuals. My comments are reasonable and moderate and do not contradict the Racial and Religious Hatred Act. The BBC and ITV are not entitled to limit free speech and I look forward to the judge ordering them both to broadcast my original message.

You can see the uncensored broadcast on YouTube here, and Craig’s full statement here.

And you can read an excellent piece on the religious turn taken in the race for mayor by Terry Sanderson, National Secular Society President, here.

UPDATE – May 1. Craig has lost his case against the BBC, and ordered to pay costs to the BBC of over £11,000. See the details here.