Westminster Abbey Composer 'Sacked For Criticising Royal Wedding Composer On Facebook'

Westminster Abbey has dismissed one of its organists after he is said to have criticised a leading composer who played a key role in the Royal Wedding.

Insiders say the Abbey acted after organ scholar Edward Tambling posted derogatory comments on Facebook about John Rutter, a favourite of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

According to one source, Mr Tambling used 'colourful language' to criticise the skills of Mr Rutter, who composed one of the highlights of the spectacular ceremony on April 29 and who has been described as the world's most popular living choral composer.


The Abbey refused to comment beyond saying Mr Tambling, 23, was told to leave for 'disciplinary reasons'.

The incident will embarrass authorities at the Abbey, which has been used for coronations and Royal Weddings for centuries, because they commissioned Mr Rutter, 65, to write the choral work especially for the occasion.

His anthem This Is The Day The Lord Hath Made was performed by the Abbey choir and the Chapel Royal Choir, and the couple smiled throughout.