LONDON - The National Secular Society (NSS) has said it would mount a protest campaign against the Pope's visit to Britain following the Pontiff's attack on equality laws.

The campaign would be made up of gay groups, victims of clerical abuse, feminists, family planning organisations and pro-abortion groups among others.

NSS president Terry Sanderson said: "The taxpayer in this country is going to be faced with a bill of some £20 million for the visit of the Pope.

"A visit in which, he has already indicated, he will attack equal rights and promote discrimination.

"We have a petition online where people can make clear their opposition to the state funding of this visit."

Labour MEP Stephen Hughes hit back after the Pope warned that the UK Equality Bill would be unfair on religious communities.

"As a Catholic, I am appalled by the attitude of the Pope. Religious leaders should be trying to eradicate inequality, not perpetuate it.

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