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Mayor to overturn Life of Brian ban in Aberystwyth

20/07/2008

The mayor of Aberystwyth Sue Jones-Davies is to look into the prospect of lifting a local ban on showing the Monty Python film the Life of Brian.

Ms Jones-Davies played the part of Brian's girlfriend Judith in the movie, which came in for criticism when it was first released in the late 1970s because Christian groups accused it of being blasphemous.

The film was banned in several areas of the United Kingdom because of a massive public outcry from certain areas of the public.

Most of the restrictions have been lifted during the intervening years, however the west Wales area still has a ban in place.

And Ms Jones-Davies, who is now 59 but appeared topless in the film when she was in her 20s, is keen to see it finally overturned after nearly 30 years.

"I didn't even know the ban was in existence until Friday, she told the Associated Press news agency.

"It isn't something I have been worrying about. It is intriguing to think it is banned but I suppose these things come into place and, unless they are revoked, the ban remains.

"Maybe you can still get prosecuted for showing it. I think it has been shown in the town before but it was shown quietly."

The mayor said that "things have moved on rapidly in terms of censorship" and said she would make enquiries into getting the film ban overturned and arrange a public screening.

"I don't think it would harm the religious faith," she said.

"I'm going to talk to my town clerk Jim Griffiths and we will be investigating. He is a fountain of knowledge and will find out more about the ban for me."