NEARLY eight years after the good voters of Bolton West sent Mr Tom Sackville down the political rubbish chute, he returns to the public stage to tell us that Ruth Kelly's "suitability for office" is in question because the new Education Secretary has been linked to devout Catholic organisation Opus Dei (January 22).
Mr Sackville feels able to speak about such matters because he is chairman of FAIR - an organisation campaigning against the impact of religious cults - since losing his seat.
As a fellow Catholic, l am left seething at Mr Sackville's inference. Perhaps he would clarify his remarks. Does he think all Catholics should resign from public office, or just his political opponents? Mr Sackville would do well to read the website of his own organisation which states that it "does not seek to curtail political or religious freedom".
To lump the Catholic Church in with a collection of cults is an insult to every Catholic in Bolton.
Ms Kelly has made no secret of her religious affiliations and there is no reason at all why they should clash with her public duties.
The only person who should resign is Mr Sackville, before he damages FAIR further.
Kevin Meagher
Hereford Crescent
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