'Bring back bishop' calls after Royal slur

There were growing calls yesterday for the reinstatement of a Church of England bishop who was suspended after making "offensive" comments about the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Hundreds of people have joined a Facebook group set up in support of the Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden, in London, while a parish priest said he was greatly missed.

The Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, asked the bishop – who issued an "unreserved apology" following the remarks – to withdraw from public ministry until further notice.

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He said he was "appalled" by comments about the marriage posted on Facebook by Bishop Broadbent, who reportedly said Prince William and Miss Middleton's marriage might last only seven years and was said to have referred to the Royal Family as philanderers.

The Bishop of London said in a statement issued last month: "I was appalled by the Bishop of Willesden's comments about the forthcoming Royal marriage.

"I have asked him to withdraw from public ministry until further notice."

In a statement issued through the Diocese of London, Bishop Broadbent said he had conveyed his "sincere regrets" to the Prince of Wales and to Prince William and Miss Middleton about his remarks.

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More than 830 people have signed up to the Support for Bishop Pete Broadbent group on Facebook, compared with some 120 who have joined another group called The Bishop of Willesden Must Resign.

Meanwhile, the rector of Holy Cross Church in Greenford expressed his support for Bishop Broadbent, praising his qualities in the post. The Rev Neil Richardson said: "He is a very good bishop and it is not against the law to be a republican.

"We need him back as soon as possible because he is calm, organised and fair – qualities that are needed in the Church today."

A spokesman for the Bishop of London said: "The question of when the bishop returns will be a matter for discussions between him and the Bishop of London."