A VICAR yesterday made ecclesiastical history when he became the first member of the clergy to appear before a new Church of England disciplinary tribunal.

The Reverend David King was accused a year ago of having an affair with a parishioner, which led to the destruction of her marriage. He denied the allegations.

Mr King, whose Middle Esk Moor parish includes the North York Moors villages of Egton, Goathland, Glaisdale, Grosmont and Lealholm, near Whitby, is said to have started a three-year relationship with 44-year-old care home manager Tracy Byrne in 2003.

It was alleged that he sent her a birthday card featuring a naked man, with the private parts blacked out, and a love message.

Mr King, who was suspended from his ministry in February, flew from his home in Australia to attend yesterday's hearing of the Bishop's Disciplinary Tribunal.

He was reported last October to the Archbishop of York by James Byrne, 52, of Sleights, near Whitby, who said the vicar's affair with his wife, from whom he was separated, ended any chance of their reconciliation. The couple, who have four sons, divorced in December last year.

The tribunal is the first to be held in the country under the Clergy Discipline Measures 2003, which came into effect last year to consider cases where clergy are accused of misconduct.

The hearing, which is expected to last three days, is taking place behind closed doors at Leeds Crown Court after an application from the press to attend was rejected. Lord Justice Mummery is presiding, with two lay members and two clergy.

If the tribunal finds Mr King guilty of misconduct, he could face a penalty ranging from an official rebuke to a lifelong ban from the ministry.

Last year, Mr King, 56, issued a statement that said: "Our relationship has been at all times professional. I deny that I have behaved in a way that is inappropriate and unprofessional."

The findings of the hearing will be made public.