Bishop of Gloucester Questioned over Claims of Sexual Assault in 1980s

By The Guardian
Steven Morris and Ruth Gledhill
August 5, 2014

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/05/bishop-gloucester-sexual-assault-detained-michael-perham

Michael Perham, the bishop of Gloucester, was questioned by police for allegedly indecently assaulting a woman and a girl in the early 80s. Photograph: SWNS

A senior Church of England bishop has been interviewed under caution by detectives on suspicion of indecently assaulting a girl more than 30 years ago.

The bishop of Gloucester, Michael Perham, 66, was questioned on Tuesday by officers from the Metropolitan police's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command about the historical alleged offence.

Perham, who left his post suddenly ahead of weekend services, was also questioned about an alleged indecent assault on a woman at around the same time. Both alleged incidents date back to the early 1980s, when Perham was working as a curate in south London.

Mystery had surrounded Perham's sudden departure just a few months before he was due to retire at the age of 67, following 10 years as bishop of Gloucester. The diocese of Gloucester initially said only that Perham, a married father of four grown-up daughters, had "stepped back" from his ministry due to personal reasons.

The Met on Tuesday afternoon confirmed a 66-year-old man "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."

The Met said he was not arrested but added: "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 special service was due to take place in November at Gloucester Cathedral to celebrate Perham's decade in the city. Lambeth Palace declined to comment, saying that all inquiries were being dealt with by the diocese. A spokesman for the diocese said: "This is a police matter. We have no further comment to make."

Perham has been a strong advocate of the role of women in the church as both priests and bishops. Last month Perham, who was in York for the debate on whether women should become bishops in the Church of England and voted in favour of the motion, said at the time: "I am filled with gratitude and joy that the general synod has taken this decisive step. I am delighted for what it says about and to our women clergy and the signal it sends to the nation. What a great day, slow in coming, and what a great decision!"

He had been due to play a part in the service of remembrance on Sunday but others stepped in to take his place. When he announced his planned retirement last year, Perham said the time was right for him and his family.

Perham, who grew up in Dorset, read theology at Keble College, Oxford, and was ordained a deacon in 1976 and a priest in 1977. He served as curate at St Mary's in Addington, Croydon, from 1976 to 1981. Other posts he has held include chaplain to the bishop of Winchester, vice-dean of Norwich Cathedral and dean of Derby.

The revelation that he has been questioned will come as a huge shock in Gloucester. Earlier this year it emerged that Peter Ball, the former bishop of Gloucester and of Lewes in East Sussex, has been accused of the historical sexual abuse of a number of young males.