Why did priest stay as chair of governors despite police arrest?

UNITED KINGDOM
Eastbourne Herald

Published on Friday 16 March 2012

CONCERNS have been raised as to how a priest arrested on historic sex abuse charges was allowed to remain as the chair of governors at an Eastbourne school.

Canon Gordon Rideout was allowed to continue as a governor and chair of governors at Bishop Bell School despite it being known that he had a blemished disclosure on a police CRB check.

This related to allegations made against him in 1972 and again in 2001 when he was arrested but no criminal charges were brought.

Mr Rideout was only removed from the post when the Independent Safeguarding Authority stepped in.

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