UK bill proposes to lift historic restrictions on Catholic and Jewish prime ministers

The U.K. government has introduced a new bill seeking to end restrictions that prevent U.K. prime ministers from exercising their full constitutional responsibilities.

The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill would allow Catholic and Jewish prime ministers to provide advice to the monarch on Church of England appointments, which is part of the prime minister’s role.

According to the U.K. government , amendments were brought into law in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to remove restrictions on Catholic and Jewish people in public life, but the restriction related to advising on Church appointments was left in place.

Up until recently there have been no Catholic or Jewish prime ministers, but Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who came to power on July 20, is a Catholic and has had to transfer this responsibility to the lord chancellor.

Inquiry into police collusion in death of Catholic father in Ireland concludes An inquiry in Ireland has found that four Royal Ulster Constabulary officers “did not collude” with attackers who assaulted a 25-year-old Catholic father of three in 1997 in County Armagh, according to a report in RTÉ .

The inquiry…