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Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham faces sex assault allegations Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham quizzed over sex assault claims
(about 3 hours later)
The Bishop of Gloucester has been interviewed by police investigating two allegations of indecent assault.The Bishop of Gloucester has been interviewed by police investigating two allegations of indecent assault.
The Right Reverend Michael Perham announced on Friday he was to "step-back" from his duties with immediate effect. The Rt Rev Michael Perham announced on Friday he would "step-back" from his duties with immediate effect.
A 66-year-old man attended a police station in Gloucester on Tuesday but was not arrested, police said. Police confirmed only that a 66-year-old man attended a police station in Gloucester on Tuesday but was not arrested.
The Diocese of Gloucester said as it was a police matter it would not be commenting further. The Diocese of Gloucester said it was a police matter and it would not be making any further comment.
The alleged offences, from the early 80s, relate to a child aged under 18 and a woman aged over 18 years. The alleged offences, dating back to 1980 and 1981, relate to a child under the age of 18 and a woman over that age.
A Metropolitan police spokesman said: "They are being investigated by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command." A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed its officers were investigating.
On Monday the Diocese of Gloucester said steps were in place for the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Reverend Martyn Snow, to take up Mr Perham's duties in his absence. On Monday the Diocese of Gloucester said measures had been put in place for the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Rev Martyn Snow, to take up Bishop Perham's duties in his absence.
Mr Perham had been due to retire in November. Bishop Perham had been due to retire in November.
The diocese said "the process is under way to enable the Right Reverend Martyn Snow to take up the duties of the Bishop of Gloucester in his absence". According to the diocese's website Bishop Perham "served on the Church of England Liturgical Commission from 1982 to 2001, being one of the principal architects of its Common Worship services".
A special service had been due to take place on 8 November to celebrate Mr Perham's time as Bishop of Gloucester. "He is now a member of the House of Lords and of the House of Bishops' Standing Committee.
Church officials said they "did not know" whether this was still going ahead. "He has been a strong advocate of the role of women in the church as priests and bishops."
A special service is due to take place on 8 November to celebrate his time as Bishop of Gloucester.