Church's gay feud erupts at Synod

The Church of England's bitter feud over homosexuality led yesterday to the pillorying of its communications director, the Rev Eric Shegog.

Last month, Mr Shegog made a formal protest to the BBC and demanded an apology after Radio 4's "Thought for the Day" broadcast an attack on the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement's 20th anniversary service by Anne Atkins, an evangelical actress.

When the Church of England's General Synod opened its meeting in Church House yesterday, an unprecedented 14 questions had been tabled attacking his behaviour. Members were applauded as they asked why he had made a protest in the name of the whole church against a broadcast which reiterated the synod's official position.