Bishop of Gloucester to face no further police action...

By Stuart Rust
Gazette
October 15, 2014

http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/gloucestershirenews/11535872.Bishop_of_Gloucester_to_face_no_further_police_action_over_historic_sex_abuse_allegations/

Bishop Michael Perham

Bishop of Gloucester to face no further police action over historic sex abuse allegations

The Bishop of Gloucester, Right Rev Michael Perham, is to face no further police action over an allegation of historic sex abuse against a woman and a girl.

The Metropolitan Police said simply that they had completed their inquiries into the allegations and would not be taking any further action.

"We can confirm enquiries are now completed and there is to be no further action by the police," said the Met statement.

The 66-year-old Bishop, a father of three, has issued a statement welcoming the announcement and expressing his relief.

However, he will not be able to return to work immediately because of an ongoing inquiry by the Church of England's National Safeguarding Committee.

In his statement, Bishop Michael, who is due to retire on his 67th birthday on Saturday, November 8, after ten years as Gloucester's Bishop, said: "It was right that the allegations should be fully investigated and I am grateful that the police have completed the investigation and concluded there are no grounds for further action to be taken.

"My family and I are very grateful for all the support and affirmation we have received at this time.

"I understood it was necessary for me to step aside - the Church must follow its own processes.

"I have no issues with that but I hope it will be concluded in time for me to return to my post and complete my ministry before my retirement."

The Right Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham and chair of the Safeguarding Committee, said any such allegations are taken very seriously and have to be investigated.

"We can confirm that we have been notified by the Metropolitan Police that following inquiries they are to take no further action regarding the allegations made against the Rt Revd. Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester," he stated.

"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."

Right Rev Perham stepped back from his duties as Bishop in August as it emerged he had been questioned by the Metropolitan Police Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command in connection with allegations of indecent assault on a girl aged under 18 and indecent assault on a second female aged over 18 in the early 1980s.

He was at that time a curate in Croydon, London.

Bishop Michael, who was never arrested, had already announced he was to retire in November. After he had been questioned by the police the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Reverend Martyn Snow, took over his duties.

The process for finding the next Bishop of Gloucester has already been launched by the Diocese and there is strong speculation that a woman will be chosen to be the country's first female bishop.