Bishop of Gloucester Questioned over Indecent Assault Claims Days after Stepping down

By Jane Mathews
Express
August 5, 2014

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/495975/Bishop-of-Gloucester-questioned-over-indecent-assault-claims

The Rev Michael Perham has been questioned over allegations of indecent assault [SWNS]

The Right Reverend Michael Perham, 66, was due to retire in November after almost a decade as Bishop of Gloucester but stepped down last weekend blaming "personal reasons".

Scotland Yard yesterday confirmed that he attended a police station in Gloucestershire to be interviewed over allegations dating from 1980 and 1981.

The investigation is into an alleged indecent assault of a child aged under 18 and an alleged indecent assault of a second female aged over 18.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Gloucester said: "This is a police matter. We have no further comment to make."

A police spokesman said: "A 66-year-old man today attended a police station in Gloucestershire by appointment and was interviewed on suspicion of indecent assault of a child aged under 18 and indecent assault of a second female aged over 18.

"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 Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command. Inquiries continue."

Rev Perham with his wife Alison in 2007 [SWNS]

The Right Reverend Perham - who is married with grown-up children - stood down at the weekend.

In a statement, the Diocese of Gloucester simply said he had "stepped back" from his ministry due to "personal reasons" and did not elaborate further.

Bishop Michael served in six full time posts in the Church of England before taking up the post of Bishop of Gloucester in 2004.

The Bishop of Tewkesbury Martyn Snow is performing his duties in his absence.

A service to say farewell to Bishop Michael had been organised for his birthday at the cathedral but it now thought that will not go ahead.