Bishop calls for VEC rules review

CHURCH of Ireland Bishop of Cork Paul Colton has called for a review of the legislation governing the setting up of VECs after a controversial vote saw a Church of Ireland nominee dumped off the Cork VEC committee.

The nominee, Douglas- based Reverend Canon George Salter was replaced by a former Fine Gael councillor during a County Hall meeting to fill four vacancies on the county VEC.

During a furious row, Fine Gael was accused of indulging in political cronyism by putting up a former county councillor as a candidate against two religious nominees – who would normally be elected unopposed.