Trevor Phillips is head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The head of the UK's equality watchdog has defended the idea that Christmas should centre on Jesus Christ.
Trevor Phillips, head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, will tell delegates at a conference on diversity in London that the true meaning of Christmas should not be sidelined for fear of causing offence.
A recent survey revealed that four out of five primary schools will not perform a traditional Nativity play this year, opting instead for more innocuous titles such as 'Whoops-a-Daisy Angel' or 'Scrooge'. Local councils and employers are expected to downplay their Christmas celebrations to avoid discrimination claims.
Mr Phillips will tell the conference: "A lot of these stories about Christmas are the usual silly season stuff.
"But I can't help feeling there's sometimes an underlying agenda to use this great holiday to fuel community tension.
"That's why I asked leaders in different religious communities to join me in saying: It's time to stop being daft about Christmas. It's fine to celebrate and it's fine for Christ to be the star of the show."
Speaking about Muslim, Hindu and Jewish festivals, he will go on to say: "The logic is baffling: to welcome Eid and Diwali and Hanukkah in celebration of our glorious diversity, whilst brushing Christmas under the carpet as an embarrassing episode in our mono-cultural past."
Meanwhile, David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative party, has attacked the political correctness that seeks to downplay Christmas in local councils and schools.
He said: "...the idea that anyone ever could be offended by a Christmas card that says 'Merry Christmas and happy new year' and we've got to send one saying 'Season's greetings'; I think it's just insulting tosh."
