THE leader of Hillingdon Council has vowed to continue holdings prayers prior to meetings despite a court ruling last week that another local authority had done so illegally.
Councillor Ray Puddifoot contends that because prayers before full council meetings are not compulsory and are not listed as a formal agenda item, they can still be held lawfully.
Last week the High Court upheld a complaint by an atheist councillor in Devon that his town council had broken the law by including prayers at meetings.
Mr Puddifoot responded this week: "We will put prayers before the agenda and thus comply with the law at the current time.
"At the present time members choose, or not, to be present when prayers are being said, it is not compulsory."
The National Secular Society took action against Bideford Town Council following the complaint made by Councillor Clive Bone.
Mr Justice Ouseley ruled the prayers were not lawful under section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972. However, he said prayers could be said if councillors were not formally summoned to attend.
