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March 5, 2008

Eastern Daily Press issues apology after Bishop blunder

By Press Gazette

The Eastern Daily Press has apologised after confusing the Bishop of Norwich with serial killer Steve Wright, known as the “Suffolk strangler”.

The paper printed a letter from Rupert Read of the Eastern Region Green Party calling for brothels to be closed following the Ipswich murders saying: “Surely that is the best memorial to the women who died at the hands of Steve Wright (pictured)..”

But the EDP printed a picture of the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham James, with his dog collar clearly visible, instead of Wright.

The paper has printed an apology and has agreed to make a donation to a Christian group that helps prostitutes..

The apology said: “The Eastern Daily Press would like to unreservedly apologise to the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James following the publication of his picture on yesterday’s Letters Page.

“The photograph of Bishop Graham was used alongside a letter from Cllr Rupert Read from the Eastern Region Green Party who was writing about way of protecting sex workers by decriminalising prostitution.

“We would like to thank Bishop Graham for his understanding, and in the circumstances, the EDP has made a donation to the Magdalene Group – a Norwich-based Christian organisation which offers care to women who are drawn to prostitution. Bishop Graham is a patron of the charity.”

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Wright was given a whole life sentence at Ipswich Crown Court last month for the murder of five prostitutes in the town. Their naked bodies were found dumped in the countryside in December 2006.

No-one at the EDP was available for comment.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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