Councillor threatens to quit over 'illegal' prayer | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

A Wanganui District Councillor has threatened to resign or appeal to the United Nations if the council does not stop its "archaic and insulting practice" of saying a prayer before council meetings.

Councillor Clive Solomon made his threat at the start of yesterday's full council meeting - right after councillors recited the prayer which has traditionally opened council meetings.

As councillors finished the prayer, Mr Solomon raised his hand and, after a nod from Mayor Annette Main, he began to speak, saying he objected to the prayer "in the strongest of terms".

"To an atheist, rationalist and free-thinking person, this prayer is frankly insulting," he said.

"I can now say that the council is on the brink of a legal challenge, from which it would get little change out of $160,000.

"Some around this table might be happy if I resign. If we continue to base our meetings on this prayer I might just do that - but it would cost the council $150,000 [to hold a by-election]."

Mr Solomon described the prayer as "invalid and illegal", saying it needed to be removed from the council's agenda.

He asked the chief executive for a legal opinion on whether the council's resolution of May 29 - that the prayer be kept within the council meeting - was a valid decision, since it was not on the agenda for that meeting.

Ms Main said it would be possible to get that legal opinion.

Councillor Michael Laws moved a motion that the issue of the prayer, including its content and placement in the council agenda, be put on the agenda for the next council meeting.

During discussion of the motion, Councillor Rob Vinsen noted that Mr Solomon had threatened legal action.

"You claim that you're going to appeal to the United Nations. Are you really going to do that?"

Mr Solomon said he hoped that would not be necessary.

"If I were to do that, council is looking at a potential cost of $160,000, and if I resigned it would cost an estimated $150,000.

"To do that to this city and this council - which I'm supposed to be a part of, although I don't feel like I am a part of this council - is the last thing I want to do."

Councillor Allan Anderson said Wanganui voters should make the decision about the prayer.

"Rather than boasting about wasting $160,000 of ratepayers' money, Councillor Solomon should stand on this platform of no prayer at the next election," he said.

After further discussion the motion was put, and carried.

Councillors Rangi Wills, Allan Anderson, Rob Vinsen and Ray Stevens voted against it.

Councillors have been debating the issue of the council's prayer since February, when Mr Solomon first expressed his disquiet. The matter was the subject of a Human Rights Tribunal hearing in July but no resolution was reached.