THE Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, today categorically denied claims that there was any rift between himself and the leader of the Church of England.

In a message to the Evening Press, Dr Hope condemned newspaper reports that he attacked his boss, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, in a sermon he gave yesterday.

His spokesman, Rob Marshall, said: "On behalf of the Archbishop, I am mounting a vigorous attack against any inference that there is any rift between Dr Carey and himself.

"They personally get on really well together and whenever Dr Carey is in Yorkshire he always stays with the Archbishop. Likewise, he spent the weekend at Lambeth."

He spoke out after a national newspaper said comments made by Dr Hope about the Church of England being "irrelevant, dull and pedestrian" were an "unprecedented attack" on the church leader.

According to the newspaper, the All Saints' Day speech delivered by Dr Hope at his former parish of All Saints' Margaret Street in London claimed the church was so committee-bound that it was "hardly likely ever to inspire or convert anyone".

He also warned that the church was "issue-driven and exclusive".

Mr Marshall thought the speech had been misinterpreted by the newspaper.

"Anyone who reads the speech for themselves would not interpret this animosity that has been reflected in the paper. It is unfounded."

A spokesman for the Archbishop of Canterbury said Dr Carey had not taken issue with anything that had been said.

"What Dr Hope's spokesman has said is exactly true," he said.

"Dr Hope's address is not considered to be an attack on Dr Carey at all."

Tomorrow Dr Hope will be speaking to an audience of millions when he presents Radio Four's Daily Service.

The 15-minute slot, which starts at 9.45am, is based around the 23rd Psalm.

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