A SYNOD member has slammed "pathetic" security after protesters stormed the stage at the Church of England's meeting in York.

Hundreds of members walked out when the protesters used the General Synod meeting at the University of York on Saturday to criticise the treatment of homosexuals by the Church.

Martin Dales, a member of the Synod from Old Malton, was on-hand at the moment protesters, led by gay human rights activist Peter Tatchell, stormed the stage.

"I happened to be there at the forefront as I was just taking my seat when Peter Tatchell, who led the group of protesters, was just taking the stage.

"They had simply come up some side stairs before the main security entrance and barged their way on to the platform.

"The security really was pathetic, there was no-one there to stop him. I think I was the only one who tried, as it was obvious that nobody should be getting on to the stage that way.

"But he just pushed me aside and said 'I must have my entrance'."

Mr Dales, an elected lay member of the Synod, said the incident had raised serious security fears for other members of the council.

"It was all very worrying; lots of people left in tears. We all realised that something could happen and we often get protests outside, but nobody thought there would be something like this.

"It was a gross interruption into the Synod, which is in actuality the parliament of the Church, and we were discussing important things.

"But it was the human side of it all which made it worse."

He said the incident would have a far-reaching impact.

"The attack made by Mr Tatchell was an unbelievably personal and unwarranted one on the Archbishop, and I don't think that the case of Jeffrey Johns will be very much helped by the interference.

"And I don't know what this will have done for York.

"The police did not seem interested as it was on private property, and the rest of it was a shambles.

"I am very concerned both as a York diocesan member and a member of the Synod by the events.

"People should feel safe and secure, and this just was not the case."

Synod organisers said today that security had been provided by the university. Heightened levels of security had been requested at times by Synod, but there had been only "normal" levels in place at the time of the Tatchell incident.

He added that security had been tightened up afterwards.

A university spokeswoman said levels of security had been set in advance by Synod organisers, who had wanted matters low-key and open.

A North Yorkshire police spokesman said organisers of such an event would have to pay for police to provide security, as football clubs do. Any involvement when an incident happened would depend on the level of disruption. "We have an obligation if life is threatened or property is damaged."

lThe Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, was given a standing ovation as he called for unity between the various Anglican "churches" in his presidential address to the General Synod today.

Dr Williams said the Anglican communion was made up of several different "churches" which did not communicate effectively.

He said: "They need to learn how to do this better if they are to fulfil their primary task of witnessing to God's transforming promise. Which means trying to find out what it is that makes these diverse churches one, if we can't answer this we are in trouble." Dr Williams' address contained no specific mention of same-sex relationships for clergy.

Updated: 10:25 Monday, July 14, 2003