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The article starts: " The Bishop of East Anglia today accused Neil Kinnock of putting his political credentials at risk by abusing Catholic beliefs." The bishop wants an apology from Mr Kinnock. Fr Dowsey accused the Labour leader of blasphemy and degrading Catholic teaching.

From the letters page, a letter from Duke of Norfolk: "... Mr. Kinnock's remarks are profoundly offensive."

subhead: "'Immaculate misconception' jibe at Labour rally angers cardinal, bishops and Duke. Opposition leader expresses 'regret'"
The use of Marian imagery to ridicule the Prime Minister earned condemnation from many.

[undated; unattributed]
Reports Mr Kinnock's response to complaints: "The words were neither blasphemous in the intention nor meaning. If any believer has been offended I naturally regret it."

Commenting that Kinnock has fallen into "the all-too easy trap of treating Christians as something rather quaint and amusing, the butt of cheap puns. And cheap is very much the tone of Mr Kinnock's attack."
The leader suggests the time is right for a reform of antiquated blasphemy laws - being unworkable. Perhaps Christians should turn the other cheek?

Mr Kinnock's words went way beyond what is acceptable - however "he was playing with words in a careless and insensitive way."