Most nativity plays usually feature the local Sunday school, but this year a Church of Scotland minister and a Roman Catholic priest have enlisted the help of police officers, fire fighters, council leaders and even the Kilmarnock football team.

Brent Borough Council has denied discriminating against Christians. Critics of the claim of discrimination say that it does not stand up under scrutiny.

With sad predictability, the latest attempts to smear Peter Tatchell began before his documentary on the pope had been broadcast. But those Christians who attack him with questionable allegations need to answer the very real questions that he asks.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, Peter Smith, has promised to "pass on" calls for Benedict XVI to "open the Vatican's secret sex abuse files".