This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20311843

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Former Bishop Peter Ball arrested over sex abuse claims Former bishop and retired priest arrested over abuse claims
(about 1 hour later)
A former Church of England bishop has been arrested on suspicion of abusing eight boys and men in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A former Church of England bishop and a retired priest have been arrested on suspicion of sex abuse.
The Right Reverend Peter Ball, who resigned in 1993, was arrested at his home near Langport, Somerset, earlier. The Right Reverend Peter Ball, a former bishop of Lewes and Gloucester, is being held on suspicion of abusing eight boys and men in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He is being held over allegations of sexual abuse at properties in East Sussex and elsewhere. He was arrested at his home near Langport, Somerset.
The 80-year-old is a former bishop of Lewes and bishop of Gloucester. Retired Church of England priest Vickery House, 67, was arrested at his home near Haywards Heath, West Sussex,
Retired Church of England priest Vickery House, 67, was also arrested at his home near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, on suspicion of two sexual offences against two teenage boys in East Sussex between 1981 and 1983. A spokesman for Sussex Police said the allegations against the two men were being dealt with separately.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said the allegations were being dealt with separately. Teenage boys
They were the result of Lambeth Palace passing them details of two reviews into the safeguarding of young people in the Chichester Diocese, which includes Lewes, during the 1980s and early 1990s. The arrests were the result of the Church of England passing on details of two reviews into the safeguarding of young people in the Chichester Diocese, which includes Lewes, during the 1980s and early 1990s.
The 80-year-old former bishop, who resigned in 1993, was arrested over allegations of sexual abuse at properties in East Sussex and elsewhere.
Mr House, 67, was arrested on suspicion of two sexual offences involving two teenage boys in East Sussex, between 1981 and 1983.
Det Ch Insp Carwyn Hughes of Sussex Police said; "The Church of England, including the Diocese of Chichester, are co-operating fully with police.
"Although the matters referred to are still subject of police investigation, Sussex Police make it clear that the force will always take seriously any allegations of historic sexual offending and every possible step will be taken to investigate whenever appropriate.
"Allegations of historic offences are treated just as seriously as any more recent offences."
Charity helpline
The Diocese of Chichester confirmed Sussex detectives had made the two arrests on Tuesday.
"These arrests relate to allegations of sexual abuse in the 1980s and 1990s.
"We can confirm that the retired bishop has had no ministry in Sussex for many years and no longer lives in this area.
"The retired priest has had his permission to officiate suspended," it said in a statement.
The statement said the diocese had been working closely with Sussex Police.
"Our co-operation with Sussex Police in this investigation continues our ongoing commitment to do all that is necessary to bring any alleged criminal matters to the attention of the public authorities, and to ensure that the Diocese of Chichester is a safe place for all in our church communities, whilst being an unsafe place for any who may seek to abuse them."
A 24-hour helpline manned by staff at the children's charity NSPCC has been set up by the Diocese of Chichester on 0800 389 5344.