The Archbishop of Canterbury is facing criticism for reportedly being involved in discussions with MPs to set up "citizens panels" with the aim of halting Brexit.

The Times has reported that Justin Welby is in talks with a cross-party group of senior MPs to chair public meetings in which alternatives to a no-deal Brexit would be be put forward.

The assembly would be made up of a representative group of 100 people.

It would meet several times in Coventry Cathedral next month, before putting its proposals to parliament.

Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader, said the proposals were “deeply inappropriate.”

He said: “I generally don’t criticise the archbishop but he shouldn’t allow himself to be tempted into what is essentially a very political issue right now.

"This assembly is designed to destabilise Boris Johnson’s position. As such I hope he will recognise the deeply political nature of this.”

The Times also reports criticism from the arch-Brexiteer Mark Francois, who is quoted as saying: “It is three years since the referendum result and I suspect the British people are sick and tired of being lectured by politicians about why we should overturn their democratic decision. I suspect they will not be overjoyed by having it rubbed in by the Archbishop of Canterbury to boot.”

The Archbishop has previously spoken out over other politically sensitive issues, using a speech to the TUC to call for a society where church-run food banks and homeless shelters were no longer needed.

In a speech last year, he said: “I dream of empty night shelters. I dream of debt advice charities without clients. When justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, the food banks close, the night shelters are empty, families and households are hopeful of better lives for themselves and their children, money is not a tyrant, and justice is seen.”

Kent Online has approached the office of the Archbishop for a comment.

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