16 NOVEMBER 1996, Page 34

Sir: Tom Sutcliffe says that I reprimanded Anne Atkins for

her comments about the service for the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement at Southwark Cathedral. As a matter of fact, my concern was with the BBC, not with Mrs Atkins. She used the slot which is normally a spiritual and moral reflection on the news of the day to attack the Church of England for not giving a moral lead, when there was no opportunity to challenge this. There were also factual inaccuracies in her script.

Eric Shegog

Director of Communications, The General Synod of the Church of England, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1