Baptist mayor who refused to judge Halloween pumpkin competition which 'glorified Satan's angels' is found guilty of breaching equality rules

By Emma Reynolds

Last updated at 2:13 PM on 11th January 2012

Devilish business: Former mayor Tom Wilson said that Halloween glamourised evil

A Baptist mayor who refused to judge a pumpkin-carving competition because it 'glorified Satan's angels' has been found guilty of breaching equality rules.

Tom Wilson and his councillor wife Sonja turned down an invitation to judge the event in Nuneaton, Warwickshire because of their religious beliefs.

Councillor Wilson, who stepped down as mayor last May, said at the time that he did not think young people should take part in Halloween because it glamourises evil.

He and his wife were asked to go to the town centre for the Saturday afternoon event in October 2009, but decided against it after consulting fellow members at their Manor Court Baptist Church.

He said: 'It glorifies Satan's angels and celebrates the dark side - Halloween is a pagan festival. 

'I don't think it's appropriate to involve youngsters in this sort of thing.

'It's not something that I wanted to be associated with. 

'People organise Halloween parties for children without even thinking about what is behind it.

'I don't feel I can be associated with anything connected with Halloween.'

His comments sparked outrage from pagan groups who complained to the council that his comments were 'inaccurate and likely to cause distress.'

Now, Cllr Wilson, who is in his 60s, has been found guilty of three breaches of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's conduct for members.

The council's standard sub-committee found he had 'failed to treat others with respect', behaved in a manner which could have caused the council to breach 'equality enactments' and 'behaved in a manner which could be regarded as bringing an office of the council into disrepute'.

Cllr Wilson, who stands as an independent, was 'censured' by the council and ordered to make a written apology in the press.

Pagan pumpkins: Councillor Wilson said he could not be associated with anything to do with Halloween

Yesterday he admitted his comments had been 'misguided' but maintained that he had been 'harshly treated'.

He said: 'This incident happened in October 2009 and I have not received a single complaint by letter, text or email from a single person since then.

'My choice of words may have been misguided, but I am only human and human beings make mistakes.

'I am formulating my apology, but I am disappointed. I feel the punishment is harsh and I feel it has been a dreadful waste of time and money.

'This happened nearly two years and five months ago and I hate to think how much money it has cost the council taxpayers.'

Cllr Wilson is already banned from voting at council meetings until February 15 after previous misdemeanours including being photographed in his mayoral chains at a health club and accepting three months' free gym membership.

Source : dailymail

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