Tories create unholy row over Holyrood festivities

Published on Sunday 9 December 2007 01:05

A Scottish Parliament "Festive Evening" has been criticised for watering down Christmas celebrations.

Tory MSPs claim Holyrood bosses are "taking Christ out of Christmas".

The official programme for this year's event refers only to "Christmas songs" rather than carols. Critics also point out that whereas in previous years there were several lessons read by MSPs, this year there will only be one five-minute Gospel reading.

Scots Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser has lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament complaining about the measure.

Fraser said last night: "This is the Scottish Parliament taking Christ out of Christmas. It does a massive disservice to all religions."

When first held at the Parliament, the Christmas service was led by the minister from the nearby Canongate Kirk, Charles Robinson.

However, Parliament officials defended the Festive Evening last night, insisting a strong Christian theme would be running through the event. A spokesman said: "The Christmas focus is strong, with traditional carols and songs, a Gospel reading, an Ecumenical blessing and a reading from Dickens' A Christmas Carol."