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A senior Cabinet minister was accused of opening divisions today for claiming Christianity is “the backbone of local communities” in Britain.

In a Christmas message on his Government website, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said people should not forget that the birth of Jesus was the real meaning of Christmas and said they should be “immensely proud” of the faith.

“The Christian faith is the backbone of local communities across the country and is at the heart of our national life,” said the minister, whose department is responsible for supporting different faiths and minorities.

Mr Pickles’ message was the most explicitly Christian of the various Christmas greetings posted by senior politicians. David Cameron stressed his pride in “Christian values” while Labour’s Ed Miliband urged for “generosity and inclusion”.

Chancellor George Osborne issued a Christmas message that did not mention Christianity or faith.

Stephen Evans, campaigns manager at the National Secular Society, said Mr Pickles had gone too far and his message read “more like that of a faith leader than a Secretary of State”.

“Again we find Mr Pickles allowing his evangelical Christian views to interfere with his Ministerial duties. It’s both misguided and inappropriate for him to use the Government website to preach his personally held beliefs.

“The festive period is far from being a uniquely Christian occasion and is celebrated by people of all faiths and none – unfortunately the Communities Secretary only seems interested in using his position to peddle his trademark brand of divisive identity politics.”

Mr Cameron was criticised by more than 50 scientists, academics and celebrities last year for openly talking about his beliefs and declaring Britain to be a “Christian country”. They accused him of sowing “alienation and division”.