Secretary of State confirms decisions were lawful
The Secretary of State has signalled the Department for Education's full support for the new Catholic schools in Richmond by becoming a formal party to the British Humanist Association's legal action against Richmond Council's approval of the proposals for the new Catholic Schools. The Treasury Solicitor, who represents the Secretary of State, has put forward legal arguments as to why the Council's action was clearly within law. Despite arguments to the contrary, the legal framework still allows voluntary bodies, such as the Church, to propose to open new voluntary aided schools.
Move encourages local support
This is a tremendously encouraging step, confirming the Council and the Diocese in their views that they have acted lawfully throughout the process. Both continue to fulfil theiur statutory duty to establish the new schools. With great local support, this work continues apace. For futher details see:
