Report 'ignored risks' of gaming machines

A PARLIAMENTARY report on gambling "completely ignored" the risks posed by B2 gaming machines, on which it is possible to lose thousands of pounds an hour, church groups have warned. The report, The Gambling Act 2005: A bet worth taking?, published on Tuesday by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, recommends scrapping the upper limit of four high-risk B2 machines that betting shops can have on their premises. Spokespeople for the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church, and the Evangelical Alliance condemned the move.

Dr Sentamu fancied for Canterbury

THE Archbishop of York would be the preferred choice of many Christians to succeed Dr Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury, a survey by Premier Christian Radio suggests. Dr Sentamu was selected by almost two in five of the 569 Christians polled, across a number of denominations.

Court rules against RC diocese

THE Court of Appeal has upheld the claim of a 48-year-old woman against the Roman Catholic diocese of Portsmouth, ruling that the diocese is liable to pay compensation for alleged beatings inflicted by a nun and alleged sexual abuse by a priest. The diocese denies that there was abuse, and argues that a priest is an officer-holder, not an employee. "It would be disastrous if . . . the law put intolerable new pressures on the voluntary sector," a spokesman said.

Stolen flag an 'own goal for Preston'

THIEVES have stolen Preston's new Guild Year Citizen Flag, a gift from volunteers to St John's Minster. After it was lowered in memory of Joe Hood, a former council leader, it was stolen from outside the Minster at the weekend. The Area Dean of Preston, Canon Timothy Lipscomb, said it was an "own goal for Preston".