Migrants minister in trouble over State and the Church

IMMIGRATION minister Phil Woolas was plunged into a fresh row today over the Church of England.

He predicted that disestablishment of the Church would eventually happen, sparked by reforms of the House of Lords. The Government maintains that the Church's position in Britain is special.

Mr Woolas has already been given a dressing down by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith after proposing a cap on immigration.

MPs today criticised his view on the Church of England which he made public in an interview with The Times.

"Disestablishment I think it will happen because it's the way things are going," he said. "Once you open debate about reform of the House of Lords, you open up debate about the make-up of the House. It will probably take 50 years, but a modern society is multi-faith."

Sir Alan Beith, chairman of the all-party justice select committee, branded Mr Woolas's comments "off message". "I cannot see how it will have been greeted with enthusiasm around the Government," he said. "I am sure they do not want this being discussed at the next Cabinet meeting."

Mr Woolas was forced to climb down over his stance on limiting immigration and the Ministry of Justice distanced itself from his religious remarks.

"The Church of England is by law established as the Church of England and the monarch is the Supreme Governor," said a spokesman. "The Government remains committed to this position and values the establishment of the Church of England."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is against any moves towards disestablishment.