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Brown gives up control over church and judicial posts

Gordon Brown has called in an established standards watchdog to police a new code on ministerial behaviour as part of a series of changes aimed at restoring trust in the way that Britain is governed.

The Prime Minister is also to give up his powers over a series of appointments including the Archbishop of Canterbury and judges.

He made it clear, however, that the Government remained committed to the establishment of the Church of England with the monarch as Supreme Governor.

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O’Brien said: “I am deeply disappointed at the statement from Gordon Brown. I remain deeply concerned that the Act of Settlement will continue to exist and believe it constitutes state-sponsored sectarianism.

“I wrote to Gordon Brown in April 2006 following comments he made on the role of the Prime Minister in the selection of Church of England bishops to say that the terms of the Act of Settlement were anachronistic and that it was an outstanding example of bigotry and sectarianism in the United Kingdom . . . but did not receive a reply.”

Full story at The Times.