The Bishop of Worcester and a council leader have clashed amid the release of the Sue Gray report.

Leader of Worcester City Council Marc Bayliss has slammed the Bishop of Worcester, Rt Rev Dr John Inge, claiming he was using his position to condemn the behaviour of Boris Johnson.

On Saturday, councillor Bayliss tweeted: “We appear to be living through a period when unelected bishops and archbishops appear to be trying to drive elected leaders from office. 

“Democracy must always triumph over theocracy.”

This morning he took to Twitter again, writing: “Personally, I think it unwise for appointed office holders to comment on day-to-day politics as it will inevitably drag them into the debate when their office should be above party politics.”

Responding to the councillor’s earlier comments, Bishop John asked for his thoughts on the Sue Gray report, published last week.

The 37-page report outlined the findings of an investigation into events which took place between May 20 2020 and April 16 2021 in Whitehall while strict social distancing rules were in place.

The report explains how the Prime Minister brought cheese and wine to a garden gathering, how MPs were told not to wave wine around in public, and how cleaning staff were treated in an "unacceptable way".

READ MORE: Key quotes from Sue Gray report into Downing Street parties

The council leader said: “I’ve read the summary. No, it doesn’t reflect well and I’m glad changes at No10 have already been made.

“But they were doing an extraordinarily difficult job in an unparalleled time and the vaccine programme was a huge success. We also have bigger concerns right now.”

He went on to say that attention should be focused on the war in Ukraine and not on the behaviour of the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Bishop John wrote: “There are no bigger concerns than integrity and trust. Without them, we are lost.

“Like so many, I was prevented from visiting the sick, took funerals which most loved ones were unable to attend, whilst at No 10 they were partying - in defiance of their own rules. It’s a disgrace.”

On using his position to promote a political opinion, Bishop John added: “I never express party political views but I do stand up for decency and integrity in public life.”

When told by councillor Bayliss that he should be above party politics, Bishop John responded: “Above party politics in the sense of not supporting a particular party, certainly, but absolutely not above politics.

“Indeed, as members of the House of Lords, Lords Spiritual have to to engage in politics and vote on the issues of the day. Such is our constitution.”

The pair have continued to exchange tweets within the last hour.