A VICAR claiming he was the victim of a four-year hate campaign when based near Worcester has lost a Court of Appeal battle over the right to bring an action for unfair dismissal before an employment tribunal.

The Rev Mark Sharpe says he was driven out of his Church of England parish at Hanley Broadheath after his dog was poisoned, his car tyres slashed and his post tampered with.

Mr Sharpe moved to the parish with his wife and four children in 2005 but stepped down in September 2009 saying he had developed health problems as a result of a campaign of harassment.

He claimed he had a legal right to bring a constructive unfair dismissal claim against the Bishop of Worcester.

Three appeal judges - Lady Justice Arden, Lord Justice Davis and Lord Justice Lewison - ruled that, as a vicar, he was "neither a party to a contract of employment, nor a worker" and therefore not entitled to bring a claim.

The court has agreed with the initial judgement of the Employment Tribunal, which ruled that Mr Sharpe was not an employee of the Bishop, the Diocese or anyone else.

The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd Dr John Inge said: “We are delighted that the Court of Appeal has taken this view of the matter. There has been considerable consultation with the clergy on this issue as well as discussions at General Synod, and clergy have consistently said that they don’t wish to change their status as office holders.

“To become employees, clergy would lose the freedoms which are at the heart of the Church’s ministry and this is not something that they want to give up.

“It is regrettable that Unite fails to understand the context in which parish clergy exercise their ministry whilst the Church seeks to uphold the freedoms enjoyed by its clergy.”

Bishop John said: “Mr Sharpe’s claims of the various incidents which despoiled his ministry in Teme Valley South are disheartening to read.

“However I am encouraged to note that the clergy who have ministered in these churches both before and since Mr Sharpe’s appointment have all spoken very warmly of the people there and their experience doesn’t reflect any of the negativity that Mr Sharpe claims to have faced.”

Unite has yet to respond to the outcome of the appeal.