The stage at the international scientology congress was bare but for flowers and a bust of Mr. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder, which stood like some Roman God in the corner. His jowled features were spotlit and from hidden amplifiers his tape-recorded voice addressed the people who packed the hall. Yesterday was the second day of the congress which was held at Croydon, Surrey. As the founder of the movement spoke of truth, understanding and power, there were occasional gasps of ...

A SPECIAL "flight-to-freedom" charter jet bringing 186 Americans to Edinburgh to study scientology, the international cult condemned by the Government, was cancelled yesterday by Caledonian Airways. The airline was told by the Home Office that the passengers would be banned from landing at Prestwick. Even if the airline had rejected the Government's advice, under international regulations they would have had to fly the passengers back to New York. An airline spokesman said yesterday: "Because of what has been said in the ...

A MAN suspended from "training" with the scientology cult in Edinburgh a few days ago died in a 50ft. plunge yesterday. Jim Stewart (35), a South African, fell from the third floor window of an hotel bedroom in the centre of the city. And last night the news of his death shocked leaders of the cult that was branded last week as "socially harmful" by Health Minister Kenneth Robinson. Mr. Stewart had arrived in Edinburgh with his wife early this month ...

Shocked Scottish leaders of an organisation branded by the Government as "an objectionable" cult yesterday hit back. Officials of the Hubbard College of Personal Independence in Edinburgh, which promotes the cult of scientology, described the Government's criticism as "insane." The attack came from Mr. Kenneth Robinson, Minister of Health. He said: "Scientology is a pseudo-philosophical cult introduced into this country some years ago from the United States. The Government are satisfied, having reviewed all the available evidence, that scientology is socially ...