Shocking footage appears to show the moment a Church of England vicar inhales from a crack pipe and snorts cocaine before declaring: ‘I’m a very happy man’.
Rev Stennett Kirby is shown in secretly-recorded video sitting on a sofa with a friend and apparently watching porn and talking about escorts.
The 64-year-old is seen lighting some sort of pipe before snorting a suspicious white powder, in footage published by The Sun on Sunday.
He is said to have talked about paying for a female escort, added: ‘I wish I could. If I had money, I would. I’ve only got £10 left.’
Rev Stennett Kirby (pictured) is seen lighting some sort of pipe before snorting a suspicious white powder
The priest also apparently discussed buying the legal drug poppers on a visit to Soho in central London.
Mr Kirby is the vicar of West Ham Parish Church in Stratford and has held the position since 2007.
At a service on Sunday morning, the Rev Stephen Chandler, an associate minister at the church, broke the news to the congregation.
He said: ‘By now many of you may have heard of an article which has appeared online today concerning your vicar, the Revd Stennett Kirby.
‘I am trying to support Stennett pastorally at this demanding time for him and he is very much in my prayers and Bishop Stephen’s [of Chelmsford], as are you all here at All Saints.
‘The article contains serious allegations with regard to drug taking and other matters of an ethical nature.
‘These allegations will now be investigated by the archdeacon.’
Bishop of Barking, Peter Hill, added: ‘Bishop Stephen and I are most grateful to the Rev Stephen Chandler for steadying the ship so ably, as he has been doing so recently.
Rev Stennett Kirby (pictured) is shown in secretly-recorded video sitting on a sofa with a friend and apparently watching porn and talking about escorts
‘Please support him as he seeks support from you.’
After the announcement some of the congregation turned around and muttered to each other before singing hymns as the service began.
Following the service a parishioner, who did not want to be named, said: ‘No-one would have known about this before the announcement.
‘Everyone is very shocked.’
The Church of England said it was investigating the claims and said it was taking the matter seriously.
The vicar of the 12th-century church is thought to live in a £1.5million house which belongs to the Diocese of Chelmsford.
Mr Kirby is the vicar of West Ham Parish Church in Stratford and has held the position since 2007