By MICHELE BOWKER AN outspoken Bolton Institute lecturer has condemned the appointment of an adviser on Aids by the Bishop of Manchester. Cllr Roy Walker, who sits as a Tory on Bury Council, says the appointment is unfair to those suffering from "more prevalent but less politically correct diseases." He puts his views in a letter to Crux, the Church of England Diocese of Manchester newsletter.

Mr Walker's was responding to an item in a recent newsletter that gave a name and contact number for the Aids adviser.

He stresses that he was not speaking out in an official or professional capacity but on a personal level.

Mr Walker states: "Perhaps in fairness to other health issues which are more prevalent but less politically correct, you could list the names and phone numbers of the Bishop's advisors on Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Muscular Dystrophy, Alzheimer's and others."

He says Aids seems to receive more attention that other illnesses which affect more people.

And he adds: "Most cases of Aids are caused by immoral activities and could be avoided."

But Mr David Parker, from the Board of Social Responsibility for the Manchester Diocese, defended the appointment.

He said: "The board has a responsibility for any form of social concern and justice.

"The first appointment of a Bishop and Diocesan adviser on Aids was made back in 1988. We have had three other advisers.

"Mr Walker is commenting on the most recent part-time appointment which took place in May.

"We have an adviser for Aids rather than other diseases because it is unusual."

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