MEMBERS of an action group campaigning for justice for a South Lakeland priest have taken their case to the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The campaigners decided that they wanted the head of the Church of England, and the Prime Minister, who is responsible for helping to appoint bishops and archbishops, to be aware of the case of the Rev Harry Brown, priest-in-charge of Crosscrake and Preston Patrick.

Neither Downing Street nor Buckingham Palace would comment on private corres-pondence, but said the letters would be dealt with.

Mr Brown's licence was revoked by the Bishop of Carlisle last September after inquiries into what the diocese called allegations of "sexual harassment, intimidating behaviour and mental abuse, and financial irregularities".

Mr Brown denies the allegations, apart from the financial irregularities which he said happened when his wife, Lynn, who was unwell, looked after the books and let them go astray.

He is appealing to the Archbishop of York.

The campaigners' group has sent the statement to the Queen, Tony Blair, all the bishops and archbishops of England, some clergy across Cumbria, and homes in the area of the parish.

The statement summarises what has happened since Mr Brown was first relieved of his clerical duties last February.

Mr Brown said that he could not comment on the statement, which he had not seen, but he said it was nice that people were "caring about me".

He is due to go to York next Friday, May 3, for a preliminary hearing into his case.

He said he was given a date in July for his full appeal but that the Bishop of Carlisle had asked for that to be put back to September or October.

Carlisle diocesan press officer Richard Pratt said their barrister was unable to make the July date, but it was the first substantial delay that had been caused by the diocese.

"We are quite sure nobody's happy about the length of time this is taking and we are in agreement about that.

However, the delays are in the interests of a fair hearing for all," he said.