WHO says politics and religion don’t mix?

Mr Kevin Logan, who retired last summer as the vicar of Christ Church, Accrington, has declared an interest in standing as a candidate for Hyndburn in the next General Election – just days after Hyndburn’s current MP Greg Pope announced his decision to step down for family reasons.

The controversially outspoken vicar, of Kingsway, Church, said the recent MPs’ expenses scandal had spurred him on to stand as a Christian Democrat, for the Christian People’s Alliance party.

Mr Logan said: "I’m just one of the many frustrated, disenchanted voters who feel robbed of honest democracy. Either I sit back and forget about voting after losing faith in the existing party set up, with all the built-in scandal or sleaze, or I rise and do something about it. "

The former Observer journalist is well-know in the borough for speaking out on issues such as the introduction of a Dominatrix services in Accrington as well as making controversial statements such as "the human race is in danger of returning to the land of the apes because of loose sexual morals and the sanctioning of gay marriages and homosexual bishops."

He once tore a Sunday opening banner down from Asda’s Accrington store because he believes Sunday is a religious day.

He also blames the recent spate of knife and gun crime on the decline of the family.

The former local councillor for the old South ward which used to cover Baxenden and Barnfield, has penned nine books warning of paganism and the occult, which he sees as a real danger in society.

Mr Logan said: "I’m interested in hearing from anybody who feels the same way as I do and wants to fight for a better way. I have backing from national Christian Democracts and now I want to set up a local constituency group - a set of caring people who will work for the betterment of Hyndburn and our country.

"It is no wonder that we have arrived at the place where people have lost their faith in leaders who seem to make up their own rights and wrongs, often at our expense.

"These leaders have progressively turned their backs on all the powerful, influential values that put the Great before Britain in our national title. This is why we’ve tragically ended up with our leaders using public money to clean out their castle moats and buy five-star homes for their ducks and themselves."

He added: "I still have plenty of energy and zest and I can think of no better way of using my free active years than by serving the town that accepted and welcomed me as far back as the 1960s

This area, with its generous brand of Lancastrians, has given me so much and that’s why I was attracted to serve it and the people in 1991 when I came as vicar. I want to go on serving the town that has given me so much."

Anyone wanting to support Mr Logan can do so by calling 392957.

Other possible candidates could include new Lancashire County Councillor and leader of Hyndburn Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Rossendale MP Janet Anderson and Hyndburn Labour Group Leader Graham Jones.

vanessa.cornall@menmedia.co.uk