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Vicar 'gave addict drugs money' Vicar 'gave addict drugs money'
(about 3 hours later)
A vicar who works with the homeless has been giving an addict money to buy drugs, a BBC investigation has claimed.A vicar who works with the homeless has been giving an addict money to buy drugs, a BBC investigation has claimed.
Housing workers have criticised Father Alan Sharpe, whose Hove church is a refuge, over reports he let a homeless addict live in the vicarage.Housing workers have criticised Father Alan Sharpe, whose Hove church is a refuge, over reports he let a homeless addict live in the vicarage.
Father Alan denied the allegations but said he did give personal donations. He said he resigned from the Lorica Trust charity to allow its work to continue.Father Alan denied the allegations but said he did give personal donations. He said he resigned from the Lorica Trust charity to allow its work to continue.
Brighton and Hove City Council has begun an investigation.Brighton and Hove City Council has begun an investigation.
Andy Winter, from Brighton Housing Trust, said it was inappropriate for people working with the homeless to have personal friendships with their clients.Andy Winter, from Brighton Housing Trust, said it was inappropriate for people working with the homeless to have personal friendships with their clients.
At the heart of the work we have endeavoured to show Christian love in action Father Alan Sharpe "It's inconceivable that you would move someone into your home," he said.At the heart of the work we have endeavoured to show Christian love in action Father Alan Sharpe "It's inconceivable that you would move someone into your home," he said.
And after claims he gave cash donations to a drug addict, Det Ch Insp Ian Pollard said: "It's irresponsible because it will mean that they will go and purchase heroin and in some cases it may actually lead to them overdosing.And after claims he gave cash donations to a drug addict, Det Ch Insp Ian Pollard said: "It's irresponsible because it will mean that they will go and purchase heroin and in some cases it may actually lead to them overdosing.
"It's a very dangerous drug, and one that if people are given those very large amounts of money to purchase heroin, will pose a very great risk to their health.""It's a very dangerous drug, and one that if people are given those very large amounts of money to purchase heroin, will pose a very great risk to their health."
A statement issued by Father Alan, of St Patrick's Church, Cambridge Road, said: "Like many other parish clergy, I do give cash donations out of my own money.A statement issued by Father Alan, of St Patrick's Church, Cambridge Road, said: "Like many other parish clergy, I do give cash donations out of my own money.
"A gift of cash can make a huge difference to someone's life and prospects."A gift of cash can make a huge difference to someone's life and prospects.
"It has always been an odd ministry and the very nature of the work means that sometimes it's all a muddle, but at the heart of the work we have endeavoured to show Christian love in action.""It has always been an odd ministry and the very nature of the work means that sometimes it's all a muddle, but at the heart of the work we have endeavoured to show Christian love in action."
Referring to his relationship with the homeless people, he said: "I have countless numbers of pastoral relationships with a wide range of people, many of whom are on the margins of society.Referring to his relationship with the homeless people, he said: "I have countless numbers of pastoral relationships with a wide range of people, many of whom are on the margins of society.
"These are pastoral relationships not the inappropriate relationships you suggest.""These are pastoral relationships not the inappropriate relationships you suggest."
'Compromise the charity''Compromise the charity'
Speaking on the BBC's Inside Out programme, legal advisor to the Lorica Trust, Christine Goodyear, said: "The trustees do not know what the nature of that relationship is or was but accepts that suggestions of the type that are being made may well compromise the charity for the future."Speaking on the BBC's Inside Out programme, legal advisor to the Lorica Trust, Christine Goodyear, said: "The trustees do not know what the nature of that relationship is or was but accepts that suggestions of the type that are being made may well compromise the charity for the future."
She said it was not acceptable for charity workers to have close relationships with their homeless clients.She said it was not acceptable for charity workers to have close relationships with their homeless clients.
Father Alan Sharpe established the forerunner to the Lorica Trust, the St Patrick's Community Centre, when he let two homeless people spend the night in the church one night in 1985.Father Alan Sharpe established the forerunner to the Lorica Trust, the St Patrick's Community Centre, when he let two homeless people spend the night in the church one night in 1985.
Lorica St Patrick's has since provided 250,000 beds to homeless people.Lorica St Patrick's has since provided 250,000 beds to homeless people.
  • The story will be shown on Inside Out on 21 February at 1930 GMT on BBC1 in the South East.
  • The story will be shown on Inside Out on 22 February at 1930 GMT on BBC1 in the South.