Source: HPI
TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL, ENGLAND, April 2, 2003: The following correction was received from Mr. Donald Neam, Head of Communications, Tower Hamlets, regarding the Sunday Telegraph article on “Hot Cross Buns” summarized in the March 21 HPI: “The basis of your news report is an article on page 11 of the March 16, 2003 edition of British newspaper, the Sunday Telegraph, entitled ‘Hot cross banned: councils decree buns could be “offensive” to non-Christians.’ The article was wrong and is without merit or foundation. Tower Hamlets Council has never ordered schools not to serve hot cross buns at Easter. We are requesting the immediate removal of the article (and any related response(s)/commentary) from the Hinduism Today web site and a correction with the same prominence given to the original comments. As the Local Education Authority, the council has a recommended Religious Education curriculum which encourages schools to celebrate the full range of religious festivals. That said, the Local Education Authority is not in a position to give orders to any school on its religious requirements for food. That is a decision to be taken by each school. We believe that the continued existence of the comment piece on your website has the potential to incite racial hatred, especially during these very sensitive times. Tower Hamlets Council celebrates the rich cultural diversity of its community and the benefits that this brings. The council has written to the Sunday Telegraph to demand a retraction and an apology and questioned the veracity of their quotes. We have passed on the matter to our legal department to pursue.” HPI apologizes for passing on this incorrect information published by the Telegraph and has duly removed the article from its archives.