THE sectarianism summit of Jack McConnell has been condemned as a publicity stunt designed to deflect attention from the “Villagate” sleaze row.

The Orange Order has accused the first minister of using last year’s meeting of religious leaders to diffuse the controversy over his failure to declare a holiday at the villa in Majorca of Kirsty Wark, the Newsnight TV presenter.

The Catholic church has also criticised the summit, which brought together representatives from more than 30 organisations, including churches, police and councils last February, as little more than a political gesture.

Although both groups expected to serve on executive working groups to tackle religious discrimination, neither has been invited to do so.

They are also angry that they have been excluded from the launch of an executive action plan on sectarianism, due to be launched by McConnell at a Glasgow primary school tomorrow.

The first minister is expected to announce new provisions in a police bill to curb the rights of the Orange Order to stage parades by increasing the notice period they must give to councils and communities.

Since the summit, relations between the Orange Order and Catholic church have improved markedly. Last month Ian Wilson, grand master of the Orange Lodge in Scotland, accepted an invitation to write a column for the Scottish Catholic Observer, signalling a rapprochement after years of enmity.

However, Wilson said that the thaw had nothing to do with McConnell, who has failed to involve the organisations in his plans to tackle sectarianism.

Wilson suggested that McConnell’s latest announcement might be an attempt to divert media attention from his dispute with Gordon Brown over plans to increase toll charges on the Forth bridge.

“It was Spaingate the last time. I’m wondering, if it’s not the new Forth crossing, what else is coming along that Jack needs to divert attention from,” Wilson said.

The Catholic church in Scotland also expressed frustration at the lack of progress since the summit.

“It would be very unfortunate if the high hopes raised last year dissolved and the Scottish executive left itself open to charges of posturing rather than acting,” said Peter Kearney, a church spokesman.

The church is particularly concerned that McConnell does not appear to have raised concerns with the UK government about the Act of Settlement, which bars non-Protestants from succeeding to the throne. It regards the restriction as “entrenched discrimination” at the heart of the British constitution.

The Scottish executive denied that it had snubbed either organisation, saying they had taken part in “ongoing discussions” with Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, and senior officials.

Although neither group has been invited to tomorrow’s launch due to “space constraints”, a spokesman said the executive had extended “an open invitation” to discuss the action plan at any time.

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