The Archbishop of Canterbury issued a stern message to politicians over their sexual morals in his visit to Essex.

More than 700 people gathered at Essex University to hear the Most Rev Dr George Carey speak as part of his whirlwind tour of the county.

Dr Carey spoke on the issue of morality and spirtuality in public life to a packed lecture theatre on Sunday afternoon.

He told the gathering when asked the question of whether sexual sins had any relevance to public life he felt they could not be disregarded.

He said: "The point is not just that bad private behaviour leaves the individual vulnerable to media intrusion but that it undermines the respect that we need to have for politicians."

Dr Carey explained: "Politics and religion may have been reluctant bedfellows at times but strangers they certainly have not been."

He said he wanted the Church of England to look firmly upwards towards a wider society and added, in his view, religious traditions need to be strengthened and treasured as nesting places for moral values.

"Without honesty, trust, faithfullness to an obligation, respect for the rights and interests of others and love of neighbour, civilised society falls apart," Dr Carey said.

Some of the views expressed by the Archbishop in his lecture have already sparked controversy.

Tabloid newspapers have welcomed his comments that the private lives of politicians and other people in the public eye should be subject to the scrutiny of the media.

However, there have been angry objections to the view point from politicians.

Following the 30-minute speech the Archbishop spent almost an hour answering questions from the floor before joining a reception which was also held at the university for all those who attended the lecture.

Archbishop Carey (right, and with local church dignitaries, left) delivered a stern lesson on morality during his Essex visit

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