AN investigation has been launched by York’s Labour party after one of its councillors stated that praying for one of his own constituents – missing Claudia Lawrence – was a waste of time.

Paul Blanchard, a former Labour prospective parliamentary candidate and councillor for Heworth ward, where Claudia lives, is under fire for comments posted on social networking site Facebook.

In an attack on religion on his personal page, the ardent atheist said: “Like praying is going to achieve anything. Of all the pointless things to do here, praying wins the prize. Time would be better spent out looking for her, surely.”

The 35-year-old University of York chef has now been missing for three weeks after last being seen on March 18.

On his Facebook site, followed by 2,400 people, Coun Blanchard said: “Prayers have gone out from York Minster’s ‘community’ to the family of a woman who has been missing from her home in the city.

Like praying is going to achieve anything!

“Surely it’s part of ‘God’s plan’ that she goes missing? Who are we to question God’s judgement? Or is God on some kind of sick kickfest where he makes her go missing, sees how many people pray to him, and then decides to intervene based on numbers of prayers received?

“And if he intervenes here, and therefore has the power to intervene on other matters but chose not to, what kind of a nasty, horrible god is he? Why didn’t he step in to save Elizabeth Fritzl? Was she less worthy of saving from her situation?

“The point is, surely out of all the pointless things to do here, praying wins the prize. Time would be better spent out looking for her, surely.”

After a series of complaints Coun Blanchard has since deleted his comments and apologised unreservedly to the Lawrence family.

But his comments have angered and embarrassed fellow Labour councillors and the party’s leaders have launched an internal investigation to decide if Coun Blanchard, who made the comments in a personal capacity, had broken any rules regarding conduct.

Fellow Heworth councillor Tina Funnell said: “I totally and utterly distance myself from his comments and actually believe the polar opposite.”

Coun Ruth Potter, who also represents the Heworth ward, said: “I’m very concerned it will have caused upset to her family, friends and other people in the ward and I’m ashamed that this has happened.

“He brings us all into disrepute by saying things like that as we all get tarred by the same brush.”

Heworth vicar Rev Michael Woodmansey said: “At the very least our prayers are supporting and strengthening Peter, Joan and Ali at an inexpressible time of anxiety and stress. I think it’s insensitive to the family.”

“We will continue to offer prayers and in no way does that reduce the effectiveness of the search for Claudia.”

Peter Lawrence’s friend and spokesman, Martin Dales, said: “This is an impossibly difficult and bewildering time for Peter and the family.

“They are gaining much strength from, and feeling sustained by, the prayers of those who have a faith and the compassionate thoughts of those who do not.”


Coun Blanchard issues apology

"I wholeheartedly and unreservedly apologise to the Lawrence family if this matter causes them further upset. That was certainly not my intention. I posted a link on my private Facebook page to a BBC News article highlighting the archbishop’s statement, that he was going to pray for her to be found. “I too want her to be found safe and well as quickly as possible; my posting reaffirmed this, and indeed raised further awareness of her disappearance."

“I am an atheist and secular activist, and, regretfully, in my comments on the post I did point out that I did not believe praying would achieve anything per se. In the ensuing discussion, I did praise the archbishop and his efforts, and also acknowledged the publicity generated around his prayers would also be useful.

I further acknowledged the Lawrence family might derive some comfort from those prayers too. That said, a number of people pointed out that the timing of my comments was inappropriate. I recognised my error, apologised, and deleted the post shortly thereafter. My Facebook page allows me to connect to my friends and associates and is not available to the general public.”