Gloucester bishop questioned by police for indecent assault

POLICE HAVE questioned the Bishop of Gloucester, Michael Perham, over allegations of indecent assault on a girl under 18 and a woman.

Bishop Perham, 66, who was due to retire later this year but “stepped back” from his ministry last weekend, was not arrested but was interviewed under caution.

A Metropolitan Police statement said: “Inquiries continue.”

The alleged incidents concern a period of time between 1980 and 1981 when Perham was a curate at St Mary’s Church, Addington, in Croydon, south London.

The Diocese of Gloucester said on Tuesday: “This is a police matter. We have no further comment to make.”

A police spokesman said:
“A 66-year-old man today attended a police station in Gloucestershire by appointment and was interviewed on suspicion of indecent assault of a child aged under 18 and indecent assault of a second female aged over 18.”

The alleged incidents are being investigated by officers from the Metropolitan Police Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.

Bishop Perham is from the Church of England’s liberal Catholic wing. He was a member of the Crown Nominations Commission that chose the latest Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. His area of speciality is liturgy and he was a main influence on Common Worship, which succeeded the Alternative Service Book.

A previous Bishop of Gloucester, Peter Ball, is currently facing charges of indecent assault on a boy and a young man.