The hearing in the case of a former vicar at the centre of a sex and cash scandal was expected to resume today.

The Rev Harry Brown was sacked by the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Graham Dow, in September 2001 after more than a dozen parishioners complained about alleged sexual harassment, intimidating behaviour, mental abuse and financial irregularities.

Mr Brown, 49, who served at St Michaels Church, Workington, Cumbria, for four years, launched an appeal last September against the revocation of his licence. He denied acting inappropriately while priest-in-charge of Crosscrake and Preston Patrick, near Kendal.

The rarely-held ecclesiastical tribunal was due to resume today in York and was expected to last two days. It was to be heard by the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, who has ultimate authority.

Mr Brown, who had his licence revoked by the Bishop on September 12, 2001, denies all charges except those of financial irregularities.

He claims mistakes were made when his wife Lynn, who suffers from cancer, was looking after the books.

Giving evidence at the hearing, which began in September last year and was adjourned over the Christmas period, Lynn Brown admitted that ''mistakes were made'' with a fees account.