BRITAIN
Sentinel
12:00 - 01 May 2005
A Senior Church of England official in Staffordshire has been charged with indecently assaulting a child. The Reverend Peter Lister, The Diocese of Lichfield's director of education, has been bailed to appear before magistrates in Bedlington, Northumberland, next Tuesday to answer the allegation that he indecently assaulted a child.
A spokesman for the Diocese of Lichfield today confirmed Mr Lister has been suspended on full pay from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
The spokesman added that Mr Lister denies the allegation. In a statement, a diocesan spokesman said: "We have been informed that a serious criminal charge has been laid against The Reverend Peter Lister. The police have kept us informed about their investigation. Mr Lister has been suspended from [his] duties."
It has also emerged that the allegation dates from a time before the clergyman's employment with the Diocese of Lichfield, and does not involve any church schools in the Diocese of Lichfield or the Diocese of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.