Former city councillor holds mosque protest

By hharp

PROTEST: A former city councillor staged a lone protest outside a mosque yesterday.

Jennifer Holdcroft, an Independent between 2000 and 2002, was asked to join opposition to a new mosque in Regent Road, Shelton, several years ago, but could not at the time.

But after finding out about recent progress on the building, the pensioner arrived outside it at 8.30am yesterday with flags and a placard which read: "This is a Christian country not a Muslim country. The building of mosques on British soil is offensive."

The 60-year-old, from Biddulph, who served Burslem Grange ward, said: "I found it to be quite overwhelming. I feel sorry for people nearby. How many mosques do we have to have?"

Passer-by, Steve Swan, aged 45, said: "She stood out like a sore thumb. I respect her protest, but I don't agree with it."

Staffordshire Police received a call about the protest at 9.10am and sent officers to the scene to maintain the peace and to check no offences were being committed.

A spokesman said: "There were no formal complaints."

The £1.6 million mosque has been built using funds raised by the Muslim community. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been criticised for offering the land for an annual rent of £1.

Pictured is Umair Chodhary, of Northwood, speaking to Ms Holdcroft.

Picture: Wesley Webster

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