Church book move storm

THE Church of Scotland came under fire today after it announced it was handing over its long-established publishing business to an English firm.

The Saint Andrew Press, currently based at church headquarters in Edinburgh, will in future be operated by Hymns Ancient and Modern, which already runs the publishing arm of the Church of England.

John Brown, who earlier resigned from the Kirk's publishing committee in protest, said the deal was a retrograde step.

Mr Brown, the brother of the former Prime Minister, said: "I'm surprised. It's the end of an era for religious publishing and a sad day for Scotland."

The Rev Mark Johnstone, convener of the mission and discipleship council, which oversees the Press, said: "These proposals open up new markets for our books."