|TOP|A north Scotland councillor risked criticism from colleagues by suggesting that prayers be banned at full council meetings in the Highland Council.

Labour group leader Michael Macmillan argued the case for banning the prayers by claiming that Christian prayers alone “may breach equal opportunities legislation”, reports the Aberdeen Press and Journal.

The proposals come despite a longstanding tradition to begin business in both the Westminster and Edinburgh parliaments with prayer.

Mr Macmillan suggested that people opposed to the changes could instead pray at an earlier time but not inside the chamber itself.

|AD|The continuing tradition has seen reverends in the council membership and lay councillors give prayers to start the day’s business for years.

Macmillan, the son of kirk elder who also lives in a former manse, said: “I've noticed that sometimes members are uncomfortable at participating in something which is a practice of one particular religion in the Highlands."

The self-confessed Presbyterian and “occasional churchgoer” admitted that he did pray in moments of stress.

Macmillan said, however: "I've nothing against prayer, far from it. But the idea that each meeting of the council is opened with prayer, and particularly where the prayer is invariably in the Presbyterian style, I wonder whether that is in accordance with the equal opportunities legislation.”

He continued: "But it seems to me that if you are going to have the same kind of prayer, always in respect of the same religion, that is not just being politically correct to say 'no' to that - it is legally proper."

Ross and Cromarty Councillor Alasdair Rhind councillor Alasdair Rhind, an elder at Tain Parish Church, was not worried by the proposal, expressing doubt that it would rouse much support in a formal debate.

He said: "I don't believe we are in that deep a multi-faith society in Scotland. We must stand firm for the Christian Church in Scotland."