Bishop of Gloucester Facing No Further Action over Sexual Assault Claims

By John Bingham
The Telegraph
October 14, 2014

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11162982/Bishop-of-Gloucester-facing-no-further-action-over-sexual-assault-claims.html

The Rt Rev Michael Perham will face no further action over 1980s indecent assault allegations Photo: SWNS

The Bishop of Gloucester is to face no further action from police over allegations of indecent assault in the early 1980s, it has emerged.

The Church of England confirmed that it had been notified by Scotland Yard that the Rt Rev Michael Perham will not be facing charges over the claims involving a women and a girl.

It comes just days after the bishop, who “stepped back” from ministry earlier this year because of the allegations, announced that his retirement service was being postponed amid the investigation.

Bishop Perham, 66, was questioned - but not placed under arrest - after attending a police station in August in connection with the allegations, which date back to 1980 and 1981.

He was a curate at St Mary’s Addington in Croydon, south London, at the time.

He announced he was stepping back from ministry a few days earlier citing “personal reasons”.

Although was not suspended from his position, he will not return to ministry until a church safeguarding assessment is complete.

The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Paul Butler, who is responsible for child protection issues in the Church of England, said: “We can confirm that we have been notified by the Metropolitan Police that following enquiries they are to take no further action regarding the allegations made against the Rt Rev Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester.

“The Church of England takes any allegations of abuse very seriously and is committed to being a safe place for all.

“As in any case where allegations of this nature are made any police investigation is followed by a rigorous process to assess whether there are any ongoing safeguarding issues.

“We would ask for continuing prayers for all of those affected by these events and those involved in ongoing processes.”

A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said: “I can confirm that our inquiries are now complete and there will be no further action by police.”