THE VICAR at the centre of a landmark unfair dismissal case told appeal judges yesterday how he was driven out of his Worcestershire parish after his dog was poisoned, his car tyres slashed and his mail tampered with.

Rev Mark Sharpe says he — along with his wife and four children — was the victim of a four-year campaign of hate involving parishioners, and resigned in 2009.

He is a member of union Unite which says he has the right to claim unfair dismissal. But the Church of England (CoE) argues that clerical staff are officers of the church, not employees, and are governed by church law.

The CoE says clergy have no right to protection under Britain’s employment legislation.

Unite won Mr Sharpe’s case at an employment appeal tribunal but the CoE has taken the case to the Court of Appeal.

Unite says the case could lead to all faith workers “finally being awarded basic employment rights,”while adding that it is “disappointed” that the CoE has gone to such lengths to deny such rights.

The case continues today.