A FORMER Church of England bishop is being investigated by police over an allegation of historical sexual abuse, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The senior cleric — and his supposed victim — were reportedly questioned after officials passed on details of the alleged offence, said to have taken place in 1984.
The Metropolitan Police in London yesterday confirmed it had received a report of a historical sexual assault.
A spokesman said: “There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing.”
A source said the situation had sent shock waves through the Church of England.
They added: “They’re doing everything right and handling it sensitively.
“While they’re also supporting the accused cleric — as he’s not been charged or convicted — they’re making sure they conduct themselves in a transparent, co-operative way.
“They have also been in touch with the alleged victim and police.
“But it’s worrying for them in the light of abuse scandals in the Church of England and Catholic Church in recent years.”
Justin Welby quit as Archbishop of Canterbury in November after a report into a prolific child abuser linked to the Church of England.
A review found he “could and should” have reported John Smyth to police in 2013.
He said he took “personal and institutional responsibility” for failings.
Mr Welby is not the bishop under investigation.
An independent report found the church missed an opportunity to bring Smyth to justice before his death in 2018.
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said the church had “much further to go” in safeguarding.
In 2023, the church apologised to Matthew Ineson, who was 16 when he was sexually abused by the Rev Trevor Devamanikkam, who killed himself before his court case.
An independent review found senior clergy failed to act on Mr Ineson’s disclosures.
On the latest allegation, the Church of England said it had referred the complaint to police and offered support to the person who had come forward.
The Sun on Sunday can reveal that a former CoE bishop is being investigated by police over an allegation of historical sexual abuse (stock picture)Getty Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
