The incoming Bishop of Bradford has warned the killing of terrorist Osama bin Laden could lead to more trouble for the West.

The Right Reverend Nick Baines, who will be officially enthroned later this month, has said in his blog how the scenes of jubilation on American streets might not be the best response to his death.

The Bishop said despite bin Laden’s death, he will continue to be an “icon of violent resistance to those who need him to justify their feat and anger and self-justifying sense of victimhood”.

He said: “Osama bin Laden is no hero of mine and no hero of most people in the Western world. But he is a hero to many others and his death will, I suspect, lead to more trouble rather than less.”

President Barack Obama has ruled out releasing images of bin Laden’s body after he was shot in the raid by a team of crack US commandos at his hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, because of fears it would encourage more attacks.

He said releasing the photos as proof of his death would create a “national security risk”, could incite “additional violence” and he did not want to use them as a “propaganda tool”.

In his blog, Bishop Baines said the lesson for the West must be to “adopt policies around the world which are ‘right’ and promote justice…and not simply use wealth and military power to promote our own political or economic expediency.”

He said: “Despite the euphoria in the USA today, I suspect celebration might not be the best response to the death of bin Laden.

“Humble reflection might be more appropriate once the immediate shock has died down.

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