A VICAR and her champion cattle-breeding friend have hit back at "vicious village gossips" who accused them of having a lesbian relationship.

Rev Michelle Morton, of St Michael and All Angels Church in Stewkley, and Michele Wilde of Ridge Farm, Soulbury, vehemently deny the allegation, reported in a national newspaper this weekend, and say they are just two Christians who helped each other in a time of need.

The finger was pointed at the women after Mrs Wilde gave the vicar refuge at her home after she split with her husband, Michael, following an illness.

Mrs Morton, speaking exclusively to the LBO, said: "All this has been very hurtful and damaging. I am not having a lesbian relationship with Michele Wilde.

"Wilde is a family friend who was a loyal support to both Michael and me during my illness and continues to be so.

"I moved out so that Michael and I could begin to put our relationship back together. Michael has been the main carer for our children since I began my ministry and it seemed sensible that I stayed close and within the parishes.

"I have a lot of evening meetings and don't like leaving the children in the house alone at night. I couldn't ask Michael and the children to leave – where would he have gone?

"Michele Wilde is a close friend and a Good Samaritan. When I was ill she did what most people didn't – she didn't walk by on the other side.

She offered me true friendship, never repeating anything I said to her and never once gossiping about me. Michele's parents live next door and they welcomed me into their lives with absolutely no judgement.

"So when I needed somewhere to stay, on a temporary basis as I knew I had to return to the vicarage when Michael had moved out, Michele offered me a room, the house has a separate bit with two rooms and a bathroom.
"I didn't think of it as moving in with Michele, but moving in with a family as they are all so close. I would just like to say that I am very sorry for all the hurt and embarrassment this has caused Michele, her family and friends."

Mrs Wilde, recovering from major back surgery, said her act of simple Christian charity had been twisted by a "small group of evil-minded people" who seemed determined to drive the vicar out of the village. They are just yellow-bellied cowards and I say to them: 'Come and say what you have to say to my face and I will tell you the truth.'

"All I have done is support a friend by renting her a room I am not a malicious person, but I will defend myself and this makes me feel like taking revenge.

"They might as well have picked up a dagger and stabbed me with it.
"I have lived here for 33 years and thought I was among friends, now I feel as if my whole world has fallen down.

"Michelle and I are the best of friends, but I have close friends of both sexes in lots of places.

"These evil people have no conscience, they have hurt Michelle, they have hurt me, they have hurt our children, but the person they have hurt most is my mum and that makes me very angry."

Mrs Wilde's parents Maureen and Doug Swain say they are behind their daughter "100 per cent".

Mr Swain said: "My daughter is not a lesbian, all she has ever done is help people.

"The trauma we have been through because of these poisonous gossips has been unbearable.

"In another time they would have been burned at the stake and I would have struck the match."

The Bishop of Buckingham, the Right Reverend Alan Wilson, said he was sorry to hear that the Mortons' marriage was in difficulties.
He said: "This is a pastoral matter and we are putting in the usual procedures to support the family.

"I would appeal to everyone to give the family the privacy they need at this distressing time, especially as there are children involved".
Mrs Morton is currently on sick leave.