UNITED KINGDOM
Daily Mail
By PRESS ASSOCIATION
A senior bishop has been questioned by police on suspicion of indecently assaulting a girl and a woman.
The Right Rev Michael Perham, who stepped down as Bishop of Gloucester over the weekend after more than 10 years in the role, was not arrested but interviewed under caution.
He was due to retire in November but withdrew from his role citing “personal reasons”.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We can confirm a 66-year-old man today attended a police building in Gloucestershire by appointment where he was interviewed under caution on suspicion of indecent assault on a child aged under 18 years; and indecent assault on a second female, aged over 18 years.
“He was not arrested.
“The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 1980 and 1981 and are being investigated by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command. Inquiries continue.”
A spokesman for the Diocese of Gloucester said: “This is a police matter. We have no further comment to make.”
In a statement on Saturday, the Diocese of Gloucester confirmed Bishop Perham had “stepped back” from his ministry due to “personal reasons”.
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