Controversial preacher Todd Bentley claimed Malcolm Wicks's death was divine retribution
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Rejecting Apostate Canadian Todd Bentley: MP calls for ban on tattooed preacher who 'cures' cancer by kicking people in the face
Outrage as banned preacher Todd Bentley calls death of former Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks "the Lord's justice"
10:40am
Wednesday 12th December 2012
Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley, 36, was blocked from entering the country in August after Mr Wicks wrote to Home Secretary Theresa May to draw attention to his violent 'healing' practices.
Mr Bentley, who had been due to bring his world tour to the Croydon Conference Centre on August 21, claimed he could cure cancer by kicking sufferers in the face.
Footage has now emerged of Mr Bentley telling followers that 65-year-old Mr Wicks's death on September 29, after a battle with the disease, was "the Lord's justice" for his opposition.
In the video, Mr Bentley says God had told him in a dream after the ban that "something very significant" would happen on September 29.
He says: "One thing that is significant about the whole thing is the Lord's justice.
"On September 29 I was preaching in Ohio when I got a report that the man who lead the campaign against us in England had died suddenly of cancer.
"This was a clear release of God's presence and power. The fear of the Lord is going to come."
Mr Wicks' former political colleagues condemned the video posted on Mr Bentley's website as "abhorrent".
Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council's Labour group, said: "This sick and abhorrent behaviour is just further confirmation of why Malcolm and others called for this individual to be banned and I hope that he is never allowed to set foot in this country again."
Churches in his constiutency have also condemned Mr Bentley's preachings. Rev. Russell Lawson of St Alban the Martyr church, South Norwood, said: "I would certainly not condone this man’s comments at all.
"All Anglicans and everyone who comes to our church would be appalled by these comments."
The Late Croydon North MP, Mr Wicks Wicks
Labour's Malcolm Wicks dies at 65
29 September
2012 Last updated at
21:09 GMT
Labour leader Ed Miliband is among the political figures
who have paid tribute to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks, who has died
aged 65.
There will now be a by-election in the constituency - a safe Labour seat - which Mr Wicks had served since 1997.
Mr Wicks had been suffering from cancer.
Mr Miliband said: "He was a brilliant energy minister, he was a deep thinker about welfare and pensions, and Labour to his core.
"Malcolm was also a dedicated constituency MP, always putting the needs of his Croydon constituents first. He was a brilliant campaigner.
"I have lost a wise confidant and most importantly a dear friend and the Labour Party has lost one of its sharpest thinkers. Our thoughts go to Malcolm's wife, Margaret, and his family."
Former prime minister Gordon Brown paid tribute, describing Mr Wicks as "a great thinker, writer, campaigner and parliamentarian".
He said: "He was a passionate advocate of social justice, a conscientious constituency MP and a great minister in the Labour government.
"I talked to him during his long period of ill-health and I marvelled at his courage and tenacity in fighting his illness. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family."
'Effective,
conscientious'
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said he was "very sad" to learn of the death of Mr Wicks, who he described as "a man of great wit and humanity".
Lord Adonis, who served in government with Malcolm Wicks, said it was "terribly sad news".
"A highly effective and conscientious MP and minister, will be greatly missed," the former transport secretary added.
Mr Wicks' local Labour Party tweeted: "Malcolm Wicks MP will be missed by so many people. He was so hard working and a true servant of the people of Croydon. RIP."
Before becoming an MP, Mr Wicks worked in the urban deprivation unit of the Home Office, as a lecturer and he was director of the Family Policy Studies Centre.
He held a variety of ministerial briefs under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - including pensions, science and energy.
The married father and grandfather stepped down from government in 2008 and spent two years as the prime minister's special representative on international energy issues. He was also made a member of the Privy Council.
Mr Wicks won his seat in parliament at the last general election with a majority of 16,483.
The date for a by-election in Croydon North will not be known until Labour's Chief Whip begins the process at Westminster known as "moving the Writ."
