Too long to leave Bromyard vicar twisting in the wind

THE investigation into a complaint about Bromyard vicar Clive Evans has gone on too long.

This man, his family, and his parishioners have been waiting almost two years for the matter to be resolved.

In the meantime, he has been obliged to live with all the speculation and rumour associated with such an enquiry.

He cannot have contact with anyone in his parish, nor carry out any church engagements.

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It is unfair that Mr Evans should be kept dangling like this.

If there are questions to answer they should be put to him. Otherwise, he should be allowed to resume his duties.

The complainant, too, will be equally as anxious for a decision to be made.

We do not know what is causing the hold up, but it is possible that the agencies involved are – like many – unable to act more speedily because of difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

But even if that were the case, it would be a weak excuse.

Leaving a man to twist in the wind for two years, all the while kept from his job and the people he was appointed to serve while his reputation tarnishes is not acceptable.