THE Rev Geoff Hewitt, the Christian Malford rector at the centre of a sex scandal, has said he just wants to be left to get on with his job.

The father-of-four returned from a three-week holiday in France on Friday, to face the media storm surrounding revelations that he was forced to leave his former parish after admitting sexually harassing women colleagues.

Posing for a photograph with some of his new parishioners at All Saints' Church in Christian Malford, 54-year-old Mr Hewitt refused to answer questions about his past, but released the following statement:

"My wife and I have just returned from a holiday in France to learn of the new press interest in our lives.

"The past incidents that the media have been reporting on were dealt with publicly by the church in Wales and we have enjoyed great support from our ministry here in Wiltshire.

"Now that we are home and experiencing the love and support of our congregation, we are looking forward to getting on with the job we have been asked to do."

Mr Hewitt took up the reins as rector of the Benefice of Draycott, which includes All Saints' Church, in Christian Malford, seven months ago.

But parishioners were not told that he was sacked as honorary canon of Bangor Cathedral, in north Wales, and later resigned as the priest of St Cedol Church in Pentir, Bangor, after admitting sexually harassing two women colleagues.

It is alleged he also harassed a third woman.

Mr Hewitt assaulted the priest-in-charge of St Cyngar's Church, in Llangenfni, in Anglesey, Dr Tanya Jenkins at her home after the pair had attended a funeral, in February 2000.

Dr Jenkins, 37, invited Mr Hewitt into the vicarage for a cup of tea, but once inside he embraced her but she managed to push him off.

Mr Hewitt is accused of doing the same to a young woman worker in a similar incident at the Bangor diocesan office, and was also said to have made lewd remarks to lay church worker and married mother Delyth Lloyd-Williams, 42, who has since stopped attending church.

Mr Hewitt pleaded guilty at a Church of Wales disciplinary tribunal at Brecon, in Wales, in February last year.

The newly-appointed Bishop of Bristol, The Right Reverend Michael Hill, whose diocese includes Christian Malford, admitted that despite Mr Hewitt giving a full disclosure of the facts to the relevant people involved in his appointment, Christian Malford parishioners were not told everything about Rev Hewitt's past in his previous diocese.

The bishop added that there is huge local support for Mr Hewitt in the village and stressed his belief that the Christian Gospel encourages everyone to allow repentance, forgiveness and a new start.

Church members at All Saints' Church have also rallied round the vicar.

Churchwarden Raymond Hines said if anything, the revelations about Mr Hewitt's past had strengthened support for him in the village.

"People are aware, but it hasn't deterred their support for him," he said.

But not everyone was prepared to forgive and forget the rector's past.

One woman member of the church said: "It does concern me. I don't think any man, no matter what they do, should harass women."

In his new job Mr Hewitt, who is on the board of governors at Christian Malford Primary School and Sutton Benger Primary School, is also responsible for churches in Sutton Benger, Tytherton Kellaways and Kington Langley. Two women readers assist him.

A spokesman for the Bristol Diocese said Mr Hewitt made a frank disclosure of his past to the archdeacon responsible for the appointment, the Archdeacon of Malmesbury, the Very Rev Alan Hawker.

He said the Bishop of Bangor wrote a letter of support for him and proper interview protocol was adhered to.

Parochial church council member Chris Poore said: "I'm very happy with him to carry on with us.

"He's been here nearly seven months now and we have nothing but praise for him.

"The stuff that's been in the national papers is closed. He's been an absolute Godsend to us and we love him and support him."

Roger Carter, a churchwarden at All Saints in Christian Malford, said: "We have total support for him. The situation was blown out of all proportion."

Parochial church council member Michael King said: "He's been a superb parish priest and he has our full support.

"I think it has been reported enough now and he should be left to carry on with his ministry."

dwaite@newswilts.co.uk