The Board of Deputies has urged the Green Party co-leader to retract a call for halal meat to be banned, saying it could also have consequences for kosher meat.
Speaking on the BBC North West on Friday, the party's co-leader Jonathan Bartley said: "Personally I've been very, very clear. I would ban halal meat, yes.
"I would say very quickly animals are important to us at the Green Party. I come from a Christian faith... I understand how important that is.
"I believe a fundamental core of my faith is a love of the world, love of animals, care for the world around me."
On Saturday, Board President Marie van der Zyl said: “We have emerged from the Sabbath to learn that Green Party Co-Leader Jonathan Bartley has called for a ban on halal meat, which could also have consequences for kosher meat.
"Such a move would have grave implications for religious freedom and the functioning of Muslim and Jewish life in the UK. We would urge Mr Bartley to retract these comments which drive a coach and horses through the Green Party’s more inclusive policy on this issue.”
After his comments on the BBC, Mr Bartley tweeted to say he had "expressed my personal view that the practice of killing non-stunned animals should be ended".
I have replied to some comments directly today, but also wanted to publicly apologise further to being asked on the BBC this morning about my views on Halal meat in which I expressed my personal view that the practice of killing non-stunned animals should be ended.
— Jonathan Bartley (@jon_bartley) November 29, 2019
"I did not make it clear that I believe this should apply across the board, and not just apply to non-stunned halal meat," he said.
"In this time of rising prejudice, it is incumbent on all politicians to avoid causing such harm and I fully apologise and realise the upset my words caused."
