A FORMER leading figure at York Minster today revealed the "misguided extravagance" at the cathedral during its descent into financial crisis.

Canon John Toy spoke of his regret at accepting "over-generous perks" while Raymond Furnell was Dean of York, including membership of a gentlemen's club near the Houses of Parliament, costing up to £400 a year.

He said he believed money "wasted" on items such as new wrought-iron gates at the Deanery and expensive caterers showed a contempt for people who had donated money to the Minster.

He also slammed the commissioning of expensive feasibility studies and management consultants to "tell you what common sense had already told you".

His comments come as the Minster prepares this summer to introduce compulsory admission charges for the first time and close the Minster library, in a bid to stop the cathedral losing half a million pounds a year.

Canon Toy, who retired in 1999 and now lives in Nottinghamshire, was one of four canons who made up the chapter, who, with the Dean, ran the Minster.

He said Mr Furnell, who retired last month, effectively took on the role of treasurer because of his business past.

"The chapter didn't always know what was being spent at the time," he said.

"We eventually saw the accounts a year later, but by that time it was too late.

"It shows a contempt for the people who have given money.

"I was rather surprised when Mr Furnell suggested I become a member of a London club. He said it was part of being in the Dean and Chapter.

"I was rather anxious about that, but I still took the perk. I regret it now."

Canon Toy said he and other senior Minster staff sometimes stayed in expensive three or four-star hotels on "away days" in cities such as Liverpool.

"We went in luxury, which is just the sort of thing that business people do," he said. "But the Dean and Chapter should not behave like managers of a business. Most of us felt this in our hearts because we were in a position of trust."

Canon Toy said money was also wasted on specialised caterers, who were often brought in to organise parties at the Deanery.

"In the past, our wives and other staff used to provide food for parties and everyone chipped in with the washing up," he said.

"When Mr Furnell arrived that soon stopped and the caterers did everything."

Canon Toy was responsible for the education department, including the Minster library.

He attacked the proposals to shut the library, saying it was an integral part of the "worship and mission" of the Minster.

A spokesman for York Minster said: "We're unable to add any further comment at this time."

He hoped to be able to make a statement next week after discussion between the Dean and Chapter and the Archbishop.

Mr Furnell said he had nothing to add at this time.

Updated: 10:46 Thursday, June 19, 2003