Welby urges 'ceasefire' from political war of insults over Brexit

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for a 'ceasefire' on insults and personal attacks over Brexit.

Justin Welby referenced the legendary Christmas truce in 1914 during the First World War as he called for 'reconciliation and unity' between warring political factions over a hard or soft Brexit.

Nick Robinson interviews Justin Welby for a Today programme that was broadcast from Lambeth Palace. Twitter / Justin Welby

'It would be very good to have a ceasefire from insult and the use of pejorative terms about people at this time,' he told the BBC's Today programme which broadcast a special programme from Lambeth Palace on Thursday.

It comes after newspapers branded Tory rebel MPs as 'traitors' and 'mutineers'.

Welby was speaking the morning after 11 Conservative MPs voted with Labour to defeat the government and insist on a final parliamentary vote on the Brexit deal with the EU.

'We have made a decision about Brexit,' he said. 'That is clear. How we do that is a question for robust political argument.

'But there is a difference between disagreeing and personalised attacks. Those have to be avoided.'

He added: 'We need a political leadership that is united in their attitude to the future even if divided on policy.

In a wide-ranging interview the Archbishop was also asked about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in Windsor next May and about the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The Archbishop will give a blessing at a multi-faith service marking the six-month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire at St Paul's Cathedral later today.

Welby said it was 'clear there was less attention given to the people in Grenfell Tower' than to more affluent tower blocks nearby and that betrayed a 'failure' in valuing every human being in the UK.

He praised the 'extraordinary community response' around Grenfell Tower but added it is 'not right' this should happen in a tower block in 21st century London.

News
UK Supreme Court rules Religious Education in Northern Ireland unlawful
UK Supreme Court rules Religious Education in Northern Ireland unlawful

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the current approach to Religious Education and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools breaches human rights and is unlawful.

Who was Hilda of Whitby and why is she important?
Who was Hilda of Whitby and why is she important?

19 November is the day when Anglicans remember St Hilda of Whitby. She was a powerful and important woman in the history of the English Church. This is her story.

Over 2,000 anti-Christian hate crimes reported across Europe in 2024
Over 2,000 anti-Christian hate crimes reported across Europe in 2024

Despite a slight drop in overall numbers, the attacks are becoming more violent in nature, a new report has warned.

Cultivating the fruits of the Spirit: Goodness that embodies righteousness and truth
Cultivating the fruits of the Spirit: Goodness that embodies righteousness and truth

We have reached goodness in our journey through the fruits of Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) - a virtue often spoken of but less often understood.