Allegations that Islington Council considered sending a boy to Africa for an exorcism have been dismissed by the man who set tongues wagging.

Last month it was reported that Dr Richard Hoskins had accused some council officers of being minded to send a boy in their care for a ritual deliverance.

It was claimed the council changed its mind only after Dr Hoskins visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to find out about the exorcism on a trip part funded by the council.

As reported in the Gazette, the council maintained there was no chance of the boy being sent away, and it only contributed to the journey after being ordered to by a judge.

Now Dr Hoskins has written to several TV stations and newspapers to “correct certain erroneous comments”. He said: “The council took such action to prevent him being returned to the DRC for any type of deliverance service. I am happy to accept that this was the position.”