John Prescott

Concerned

Prescott Examines Ban on Foreign Priests

The priests, from Africa and Asia, are studying in Belgium and wanted to come to the UK for up to eight weeks for work experience and to act as holiday relief for British priests.

The decision to refuse them entry has been described by a London priest as "naive ... stupid .... sheer ignorance ... bad manners ... something [the authorities] should be ashamed of".

Mr Prescott told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was concerned at the report, which he said indicated apparent injustice.

"There might be a perfectly good reason but I'm not yet satisfied that there is, so I shall ask for the papers this morning to see if there is anything more than could have been done," he told the programme.

"I'm sure that my colleagues who deal with these matters give their full attention to them but sometimes there can be a slip between cup and lip," he said.

The Today programme said that some half-dozen visitors' visas had been refused by the British embassy in Brussels. It said the embassy had told the programme in a faxed statement that each application for a visa would be considered on its merits.

BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent Alex Kirby reports on the controversy
Dur: 3'24"

The original report about the case was broadcast before 7am, with Mr Prescott later calling the programme to give his view.

Father Kit Cunningham, of St Ethelreda's, Holborn, in central London, was one of those who had hoped to take advantage of a break courtesy of one of the trainee priests. He said there was no way the trainees could come and take over a parish in England.

"They have all got superiors. They have all got bishops. No way could they take over parishes," he said.

"It is naive and stupid on the part of these particular officials to think that somehow they would come here and take over a parish," he continued. "They obviously have no understanding of the workings of the Church and it is sheer ignorance on their part and bad manners and something they should be ashamed of."

The trainees would now feel that the English were "awful and unwelcoming". He added: "The idea is just so ludicrous that these men should come over, get lost, then reappear as tobacconists in Luton. The mind just boggles."

The Foreign Office said later that the decision to refuse visas was being "urgently" reviewed by the British consul, who was contacting the priests for more information about the purpose of their visit.

"If, as a result, he is satisfied that their applications now fall within the immigration rules, visas will be issued," said a spokesman.

A BBC political correspondent says it seems highly likely that the priests will be allowed in, within a matter of days.

The Shadow Environment, Transport and the Regions Secretary, Sir Norman Fowler, said: "The Deputy Prime Minister must be feeling the heat. All the speculation about the Minister without Portfolio's role has obviously got under his skin.

"His intervention on behalf of a group of trainee priests studying in Belgium who were refused entry to the UK is clearly a reminder to the world that he is nominally in charge while the Prime Minister is on his holidays. Mr Mandelson has been warned."