Meanwhile, conservative MP David Davies raised questions of “anti-Christian prejudice.”
The Times reported that the Department for Transport (DfT) sent staff to minority religious events but did not officially participate in Christmas celebrations. Muslim and Chinese religious events were marked by VIP receptions held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but no observation of Easter is planned.
While more than ₤15,000 were spent in one week of
events celebrating the religious feasts of the Muslim and Hindu communities, Christmas celebrations received just an announcement of a carol service.
Government officials said participation in minority religious ceremonies is an attempt by ministers to fulfill legal obligations towards reaching minority communities, while critics said the discrepancies in expenditure and participation fuel the social divisions already a problem in British society.
In November, 200 guests from the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities were invited to an Eid/ Diwali celebration (combining the feast marking the end of Muslim Ramadan and the Hindu and Sikh festival of lights), which cost ₤8,933. A celebration for internal staff marking the same religious feast six days earlier cost ₤7,557. The DfT spent ₤300 for staff to mark the same event. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sent their “diversity team” to a Chinese New Year celebration, and the Highways Agency sent staff to a Diwali event.
