MARRIED Hampshire vicars Royston Such and Tana Riviere who were falsely accused of being involved in a “love-split scandal” have won undisclosed libel damages.

The couple from Ropley, near Alresford, were “particularly outraged” because it was the third time the allegation had appeared in The Times, their counsel, William Bennett, told the High Court.

Mr Bennett said each time it was admitted to be false and they were told it would not happen again.

He told Mr Justice Warby that the latest publication was in June under the heading: “Love-split scandal vicar sees church burn to the ground.”

It followed the blaze at the 800-year-old St Peter’s Church which devastated the roof, bell tower, medieval architecture and doorways.

He said the destruction had been “extremely distressing” for 68-year-old Rev Such, and his wife Rev Riviere, who he married in August 1995.

Mr Bennett said the article gave prominence both in the headline and in the text to the false allegation that in the 1990s the Rev Such had scandalised his parishioners and caused them to abandon him because he had left the mother of his five children for Rev Riviere, who was wrongly described in the article as his “married” curate.

‘Proper relationship’ Mr Bennett continued: “In fact by the time the couple met the Rev Riviere was a widow.”

He added that the Rev Such’s former wife had left him in October 1994 and he had then divorced her on the grounds of her admitted adultery.

“The relationship between the Reverends Such and Riviere was always a proper one and in keeping with the rules of the Church,” said Mr Bennett.

He said The Times had previously published the allegation in 1996 and again in 1997. Each time it published an apology which acknowledged the allegation was false, and said it would never be published again.

Daily Echo:

The fire at St Peter's Church, Ropley.

Now publisher Times Newspapers Ltd has agreed to ensure that this mistake is not repeated. It has apologised unreservedly and agreed to pay damages and costs.

Mrs Riviere declined to discuss the issue with the Daily Echo.

Later a Diocese of Winchester spokesman said: “Reverend and Mrs Such are pleased at the court’s judgment and would now like to draw a line under the issue. As it is a private matter it is not appropriate for the diocese to comment further.”