Board of Deputies urges Green Party leader to withdraw call for halal meat ban

On Saturday, Board President Marie van der Zyl said: “We have emerged from the Sabbath to learn that Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley has called for a ban on halal meat, which could also have consequences for kosher meat.

"Such a move would have grave implications for religious freedom and the functioning of Muslim and Jewish life in the UK. We would urge Mr Bartley to retract these comments which drive a coach and horses through the Green Party’s more inclusive policy on this issue.”

After his comments on the BBC, Mr Bartley tweeted to say he had "expressed my personal view that the practice of killing non-stunned animals should be ended".

"I did not make it clear that I believe this should apply across the board, and not just apply to non-stunned halal meat," he said.

"In this time of rising prejudice, it is incumbent on all politicians to avoid causing such harm and I fully apologise and realise the upset my words caused."