The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today written to the British National Party over possible breaches of anti-discrimination law in its membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services.

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) has compiled a dossier highlighting and criticising the record of one of the UK's newly appointed equality commissioners, Evangelical Alliance director Joel Edwards.

The surprise appointment of Evangelical Alliance UK head the Rev Dr Joel Edwards to the new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has already caused some controversy, especially among campaigners for lesbian and gay rights.

The think-tank Ekklesia, which examines religion in public life, says that the controversial appointment of the head of the Evangelical Alliance UK to the new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is "a historic opportunity for evangelicals to shift toward full acceptance of the equalities agenda."