This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-31320959

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hanley Broadheath 'harassed' vicar at Court of Appeal Hanley Broadheath 'harassed' vicar at Court of Appeal
(about 2 hours later)
A vicar who claimed he was the victim of four years of harassment has appeared at the Court of Appeal over whether he has the right to bring an action for unfair dismissal.A vicar who claimed he was the victim of four years of harassment has appeared at the Court of Appeal over whether he has the right to bring an action for unfair dismissal.
The Rev Mark Sharpe said he was driven from Hanley Broadheath parish near Worcester, by a "campaign of hate".The Rev Mark Sharpe said he was driven from Hanley Broadheath parish near Worcester, by a "campaign of hate".
His case rests on whether his position can be legally defined as an "employee" or a "religious office holder".His case rests on whether his position can be legally defined as an "employee" or a "religious office holder".
Mr Sharpe argued he was the former, but the Church of England disagreed.Mr Sharpe argued he was the former, but the Church of England disagreed.
Members of the clergy are not covered by employment legislation as, in the eyes of the law, they are employed directly by God.Members of the clergy are not covered by employment legislation as, in the eyes of the law, they are employed directly by God.
But if appeal judges agree Mr Sharpe was employed by the Bishop of Worcester, he would be entitled to protection by legislation including the 1996 Employment Rights Act, enabling him to begin an attempt to sue for unfair dismissal.But if appeal judges agree Mr Sharpe was employed by the Bishop of Worcester, he would be entitled to protection by legislation including the 1996 Employment Rights Act, enabling him to begin an attempt to sue for unfair dismissal.
'Dog poisoned''Dog poisoned'
The Church maintained he was not an employee but a religious office holder, and therefore subject to ecclesiastical law.The Church maintained he was not an employee but a religious office holder, and therefore subject to ecclesiastical law.
Mr Sharpe claimed his dog was poisoned, his car tyres slashed and his post tampered with.Mr Sharpe claimed his dog was poisoned, his car tyres slashed and his post tampered with.
He said the Church should have "warned him of the nature of the parish and its problems" and that he "should have been offered better support and protection when the harassment began".He said the Church should have "warned him of the nature of the parish and its problems" and that he "should have been offered better support and protection when the harassment began".
The case has already been through two hearings.The case has already been through two hearings.
Initially, the Church view prevailed, and an employment tribunal ruled that he was neither an employee nor a worker and rejected his unfair dismissal claim.Initially, the Church view prevailed, and an employment tribunal ruled that he was neither an employee nor a worker and rejected his unfair dismissal claim.
But an employment appeal tribunal overturned that decision.But an employment appeal tribunal overturned that decision.
Sally Kosky, Unite union's national officer, said: "It is deeply disappointing that the Church of England has gone to such lengths to avoid its responsibility as an employer.Sally Kosky, Unite union's national officer, said: "It is deeply disappointing that the Church of England has gone to such lengths to avoid its responsibility as an employer.
"It cannot be that on the one hand the Church takes huge strides forward on gender equality, yet on the other remains in the dark ages on fundamental employment rights.""It cannot be that on the one hand the Church takes huge strides forward on gender equality, yet on the other remains in the dark ages on fundamental employment rights."
A spokesperson for the Church of England said clergy "are office holders, not employees of the bishop, the diocese or anyone else".
The spokesperson said: "Discussions and decisions at General Synod following a major consultation with clergy, have shown that on the whole clergy do not wish to change this status.
"It is also disappointing that Mr Sharpe and Unite continue to negatively reflect on the parishes which he served in Teme Valley South. This claim is not borne out by clergy working in the parish either before or since, all of whom speak very warmly of the people of the parishes."
The hearing continues on Wednesday.The hearing continues on Wednesday.