Priest arrested over financial irregularities

A Scottish Catholic priest has resigned after allegations of financial irregularities. Police were called in to investigate St Mary’s (Our Lady Star of the Sea) in Saltcoats on the Ayrshire coast after evidence of mismanagement became known, writes Brian Morton.

Fr Graeme Bell has resigned with immediate effect as parish priest and has been given allowed by the Bishop of Galloway to take leave of absence. Fr Bell is no longer living in the parish house. Police Scotland said that inquiries were “ongoing”.