Priest accused of bully his flock

Mike Spackman, 60, is a former treasurer at the church but became unhappy at Revd Williamson's treatment of people so put up a poster saying: "Hanworth needs a change."

He was shocked when police turned up at his house and issued him with an official warning.

"I just couldn't believe it," he said. "It's just no way for a priest to behave. I'm not complaining about the system but about the abuse of the system that means that by giving someone's name, he can have totally innocent people visited by the police."

Revd Williamson, who counts Ian Paisley among his friends, is banned from taking anyone to court as he is listed by the Government as a 'vexatious litigant'.

Earlier this year he was officially warned by the Diocese of London for 'inappropriate conduct' in aggressively pursuing a rent charge of £6 per year from each household in the parish.

He lost the claim in court after he was challenged by local residents and the church put a conditional deferment on his record for two years.

John Murphy, who was one of the challengers in that matter, has written to MP Alan Keen about the harassment allegations and the MP has pledged to help and has written to Hounslow Police for an explanation.

Mr Murphy said: "People who don't know him see a dog collar and will believe anything he says but why are the police doing this for someone who has been named as a vexatious litigant?"

A police spokesman said: "If an allegation of harassment is made to the police, if suitable and appropriate and in the spirit of crime prevention and to prevent further incidents police may issue Allegation of Harassment Form.

"Sometimes people do not realise their actions have caused harassment to the other party. We make it clear that their actions has caused harassment to another person and make it clear this does not in any way constitute a criminal record. We make no comment as to the truth, or otherwise to the allegations made at that stage."

Revd Williamson refused to comment on the matter.