Paper sorry for 'banned buns' story

Paper sorry for 'banned buns' story

The paper said the buns were "offensive" to non-Christians

A national newspaper has apologised for saying a number of local authorities had banned hot cross buns in their schools.

On 16 March, the Sunday Telegraph claimed that the councils thought the sign of the cross "will spark complaints from Jewish, Hindu and Muslim pupils or their families".

It included reaction from the Conservative MP Anne Widdecombe who said banning hot cross buns was "appalling and absurd".

Complaints about the article were received from six councils - Tower Hamlets, Liverpool, City of York, Wolverhampton, Wakefield and Birmingham.

They said that none of them had an official policy on hot cross buns and councillors had never discussed banning the buns.

In its latest edition the paper says: "Where council catering managers were quoted as saying that hot cross buns were not being served for whatever reason, this was not of a consequence of any council policy.

"We apologise for any confusion."