Vicar in UK sparks fury after dressing up as tart for party

London, Nov 18 (ANI): A vicar in Britain has sparked fury among his congregation after he went to a "vicars and tarts" party dressed as a tart.

Reverend Martin Wray wore a short skirt, high heels and gold leggings to the charity event, but when a photograph of him in the outfit appeared in a local paper, his congregation was infuriated.

Some churchgoers complained to his bosses that the costume brought disrepute to their parish.

"Having his photograph taken was something he should not have allowed to happen, associating St Lawrence's as it did with the event," the Sun quoted one woman as saying.

"It was a mistake and he has since admitted it was a mistake. But that incident was just a trigger. We had other concerns," she said.

The party had been held to raise money for a local charity for the disabled and for Rev Wray's church, St Lawrence the Martyr Church, in South Shields, South Tyneside.

But his supporters reckon the row is part of a campaign to get rid of him after he entered into a civil partnership with his gay lover earlier this year.

"He is being pilloried for something that was meant to be just a bit of fun in support of a good cause. I can't help but think there is some sort of homophobic undercurrent here, which is very disappointing," a pal said.

"He just dressed as a tart because he's a vicar, and coming to the party as a vicar really wouldn't have made sense.

"The money raised on the night was to be divided between a local charity and St Lawrence's. In the end St Lawrence's refused to accept the money, claiming it was 'tainted'. I think it's a terrible attitude," the pal stated. (ANI)