Rape Accused Resigns School Post A Priest Facing Allegations of Child Rape Has Stood down As Chairman of Governors at a Birmingham School, BBC News [United Kingdom], January 28, 2006

Rape Accused Resigns School Post
A Priest Facing Allegations of Child Rape Has Stood down As Chairman of Governors at a Birmingham School

BBC News [United Kingdom]
January 28, 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4657596.stm

Canon John Herve, was suspended from his duties as parish priest at St Agatha with St Barnabas in Sparkbrook, after being arrested this month.

He is currently on police bail while investigations continue into the alleged rape of a child under 16.

The city council confirmed on Saturday he has left his post on Ladypool Primary School's board of governors.

Some parents have protested outside the school

'Not imply guilt'

Parents protested outside the school and threatened to keep their children away after news of Father Herve's arrest and the jailing of a teaching assistant for unrelated child sex offences.

Mark Smith, 35, of Adams Hill, Bartley Green, was jailed for indecently assaulting a girl pupil.

Smith admitted grooming and three charges of indecent assault and was jailed for two-and-a-half-years at Birmingham Crown Court.

Birmingham City Council said Canon Herve has been advised not to attend any schools while the police investigation is carried out.

Canon Herve was appointed Honorary Canon of Birmingham Cathedral in April last year.

After his arrest and suspension from church duties, the Archdeacon of Birmingham, the Venerable Hayward Osborne, said: "I must emphasise that the suspension is a neutral act and does not imply guilt."