The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, who is a Roman Catholic, today made the written statement below.
Statement made by
Andy Burnham
Prime Minister
Labour
Makerfield Commons
Statement
I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention steps the Government is taking regarding Church appointments.
Restrictions set out in the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 and the Jews Relief Act 1858 prevent persons professing the Roman Catholic and Jewish faiths only from advising the Sovereign on appointments to the Church of England and Church of Scotland. I have therefore transferred my constitutional responsibility to advise the Sovereign on Church appointments to the Lord Chancellor.
It is, however, unacceptable for there to be a legislative bar against people of any faith performing all the functions of my office. The Government will therefore introduce a Bill at the earliest possible opportunity to correct this antiquated and archaic anomaly.
This seems decidedly odd, possibly initiated by the PM’s own Roman Catholic faith. How much, if any, advice does the PM now give to the Sovereign on church (C of E) appointments? They are announced through his office; possibly that is an anomaly which concerns him. Interestingly, section 12 of the 1829 Act precludes Roman Catholics from holding the office of Lord Chancellor. An interesting conundrum. I don’t think speculation; is out of place on this subject: possibly total repeal of both Acts would achieve an acceptable status quo without this (unnecessary?) delegation.