Two Christian sisters from the popular girl band 'Eternal' that saw hits in the 1990s are reported to be "devastated" by claims they'd refused to play LGBT festivals.

Denis Ingoldsby, the band's original manager, has accused Louise Redknapp of throwing her fellow bandmates "under the bus" in a row over a botched reunion tour that was planned for next year.

Redknapp, who's 48 and had a 19-year marriage to the former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp, is the highest profile star to have emerged from the group.  Her publicist, Simon Jones, made national headlines when he claimed his client had backed out of a planned reunion schedule because Easther and Vernie Bennett had issues with trans activists and had refused to play at LGBT events.

The Telegraph reports that according to Ingoldsby the Bennetts' views were “misrepresented” and “weaponised” against them.  He suggested Redknapp was trying to get them cancelled.

The tour would have been the first time the four original members had played together since 1995, when Redknapp announced she was leaving the band to pursue a solo music career.

Speaking to Sky News, Ingoldsby said: “Louise and her team have thrown them under the bus and everyone is totally appalled at their bullying behaviour by totally misrepresenting the situation to suit their own agenda.

“The girls sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they loved playing Pride, and they loved the ethos of the event.

“For her camp to go on the record suggesting they are homophobic is utterly outrageous. This is nothing about gay rights.”

According to the Telegraph, Jones has denied misrepresenting details of a private email, saying: “The fact remains that an email was sent saying that Vernie and Easther would only do the Eternal reunion if no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals were included in the plan.”

However, Ingoldsby said: “The girls have played a number of LGBTQI venues their entire careers and have been inspired by the love and acceptance they have received."

He said their issue was about the trans lobby, who some claim are eroding the rights of women and girls to retain safe single-sex places, and compete in sport. 

“Vernie said she had some concerns about the Pride movement being hijacked – and she is not alone – but this has now been weaponised against her,” Ingoldsby said.

The duo are reported to be still planning to perform as Eternal in the future.