Metropolitan Police Question Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham over Historic Sex Abuse Allegations

Gloucestershire Echo
August 5, 2014

http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Bishop-Gloucester-Michael-Perham-questioned/story-22078213-detail/story.html

Michael Perham

The Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham has been questioned by the Metropolitan Police over historic sex abuse allegations against a child in the 1980s.

Although Mr Perham, 66, has not been arrested, it is understood he was invited by Scotland Yard to help detectives with their inquiries over an alleged indecent assault on a child between 1980 and 1981.

The former bishop stepped down from his role as head of the Diocese in Gloucester this week, months ahead of his planned retirement in November. He is married to Dr Alison Grove, who is a palliative care consultant. They have four grown up daughters.

At the time of the announcement, ‘personal reasons’ were cited as being behind his early retirement.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police, said: “We can confirm a 66-year-old man on Tuesday, August 5, 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.”

Prior to the news of his questioning by London police, church officials said a special service to announce the formal retirement of Mr Perham in line with protocols was unlikely to now go ahead as planned.

Mr Perham was born in 1947, grew up in Dorchester, and read Theology at Keble College, Oxford.

He prepared for ordination at Cuddesdon College and was ordained deacon 1976 and priest in 1977 and has served in six full time posts in the Church of England.

Mr Perham was Curate at St Mary’s Addington in Croydon from 1976 to 1981, and also took on various other roles with the church in Poole, Norwich and Derby. He was appointed Bishop of Gloucester in 2004.

Alongside these ministries, he has filled many roles in the Church of England nationally. On appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was for a time made secretary of the church’s doctrine commission, specialising in theology.He is pro-chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire and vice chair of the University Council. Mr Perham is also president or patron of a number of county organisations and charities, including GARAS, GEAR, Cheltenham YMCA, the Star College and Emmaus Gloucester.

In June last year, Mr Perham gave his backing to gay marriage during a sit-down discussion with homosexual groups in the city.

It is the latest scandal to rock the Anglican church.

Former Bishop of Gloucester The Right Reverend Peter Ball, who is thought to be the highest-ranking clergyman in the Church of England to be arrested over child abuse, faces allegations that he molested eight boys and young men aged between 12 and their early 20s.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred during the 1970s and 1980s. He was charged in March and appeared in court for the first time in May at Taunton Magistrates. He was summoned to appear at Brighton Magistrates court last month, but was too ill to appear.

Mr Ball was due to appear at an unnamed crown court on Friday, August 1.