Richard Holloway is a retired former Bishop of Edinburgh.

He was a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority from its inception in 1990 to the end of 1997, and chairman of its ethics committee for three years.

He is author of many books including "Dancing on the Edge" which caused considerable controversy when published in August 1997.

Bishop Holloway is well-known for his championing of liberal causes, including the campaign for human rights for gay and lesbian people in both Church and State.

He has written for a number of British newspapers, including The Times, The Guardian, The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and Daily Express.

He's also a regular broadcaster on the BBC and has presented his own television series, "When I get to Heaven" for four years and "Holloway's Road" on BBC Two (Scotland) in 2000.