Church Army CEO hopes to challenge Clegg

THE chief executive of the Church Army, Mark Russell, announced on Tuesday that he hoped to be the Labour Parliamentary candidate in Sheffield Hallam, represented since 2005 by Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister. The constituency has never returned a Labour MP since its first election in 1885, and was held by the Conservatives from 1885 until 1997, when the Liberal Democrats won it. Mr Russell needs to secure a nomination and then a place on the shortlist of candidates. Hustings are due to take place on 24 June.

BME church leaders oppose gay marriage 

TEN leaders of ethnic-minority churches have written a letter to The Daily Telegraph criticising the Government for "forcing through fundamental changes to the nature of marriage". Pastor Agu Irukwu of Jesus House is among the signatories accusing the Government of "taking direction from tiny faith groups to infer backing for its plans", and calling for a referendum on the issue. They write: "By changing marriage from its historic foundation they would be creating a legal fiction, and consequently devaluing this vitally important social institution. The Government is not respecting difference and they are not promoting a plural society." It is estimated that the signatories represent more than a million British ethnic-minority churchgoers.

Gay marriage motion falls in N. Ireland

THE Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday rejected a motion to legislate to allow for same-sex marriage, writes Gregg Ryan. It fell by 53 votes to 42. The Church of Ireland pro-gay campaigning group, Changing Attitude Ireland, said that it remained encouraged by a growing level of support in the Province for the extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples.