The Bishop of Hereford has stepped into the 'poisonous and abusive' public debate to issue a withering condemnation of Brexit.

He has pleaded for people to respect each other's views, but has not held back in his warnings about the 'enormous damage' Brexit is and will do.

Bishop Richard Frith has deliberately used his Hereford Times Talking Point column to speak out about Brexit, despite claims that church leaders should stay out of politics.

The bishop disagrees and supports the Archbishop of Canterbury is his view that British people need to learn how to 'disagree well'.

He says having strong views, as he does, does not mean there should be a lack of respect for others.

But he also attacks Brexit itself, saying: "I think we have as a United Kingdom scored an own goal.

"We’ll get through the current chaos, yes, but the cost will have been enormous, especially for the most poor and vulnerable. I have never been more convinced about anything."

"But I have to accept that you may think differently and try not to fall out with you over it."

"Where I was brought up, there was a saying, 'Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but names will never hurt me.' That’s nonsense: abusive language can poison relationships and prevent reconciliation.

"A situation where MPs receive abuse and death threats is totally unacceptable."

The Bishop's full comments will appear in next week's Hereford Times.