A FORMER policeman’s controversial past will not stop him being welcomed into his new role as a parish curate.

Local residents have said they will accept Metropolitan Police PC Andrew Birks as he settles into his new post at Portslade parish.

Mr Birks is currently involved in a legal battle against the force over his desire to leave the Met and join the church while still under investigation for the death of a man in custody in 2008.

The PC is challenging the Met’s refusal to lift his suspension and let him join the church at the High Court, claiming it infringes his human rights.

Senior officers initially agreed to let Mr Birks leave but changed their decision after police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission said the resignation would allow him to avoid any potential disciplinary proceedings.

His QC Hugh Davies told the court that Mr Birks had begun the process for selection into the church in 2009 before any “adverse findings” concerning the death of Sean Rigg at Brixton police station.

An inquest jury found in 2012 that police used ‘unsuitable’ force after arresting 40-year-old Sean Rigg for attacking passers-by and officers six years ago.

Mr Birks was the senior officer involved in the arrest of Mr Rigg, in which he was restrained for eight minutes.

North Portslade councillor Bob Carden said: “We don’t know the exact circumstances of the incident and a policeman’s job is very difficult. I am not going to condemn him, he seems like a nice chap.”

South Portslade councillor Les Hamilton said: “He was originally going to be ordained in June.

“He has been living in the vicarage since May and he tends to go to both services on Sundays. I don’t expect people will know about this. I am not sure how they will react.”

A Diocese of Chichester spokeswoman said: “The Diocese can confirm that Mr Andrew Birks is to be ordained deacon by the bishop of Chichester to the parish of Portslade.

"This significant moment is part of the ongoing exploration Andy Birks has been undertaking over many years on his journey to becoming an ordained priest.”

Mr Birks is due to be ordained on September 28. Judge Justice Lang is expected to deliver a ruling at a later date.