Bishop Of Lincoln Stephen Conway arrested and suspended in sexual assault inquiry

The bishop of lincoln, Stephen Conway, has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and suspended from ministry while a safeguarding complaint is investigated by the National Safeguarding Team. Church officials say the matter has also been referred to the appropriate statutory authorities.

Bishop Of Lincoln arrested and released on conditional bail

Lincolnshire Police said an arrest of a 68-year-old man was part of an "ongoing investigation following an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025. " The arrested individual has been released on conditional bail while the inquiry continues, and police identified the action as connected to that multi-year allegation.

Archbishop suspends bishop; Acting Bishop named

The Archbishop of Canterbury has suspended the Rt Revd Stephen Conway from ministry while the complaint to the National Safeguarding Team is looked into. Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, the Bishop of Grantham, will perform the function of the diocesan Bishop in Lincoln during the suspension. Conway was formally installed as Bishop of Lincoln in November 2023 and is also a member of the House of Lords.

Complaint referred to National Safeguarding Team and statutory authorities

The diocese confirmed that the initial complaint was made to the Church of England's national safeguarding team at the end of January and that the matter was passed to the appropriate statutory authorities. The diocesan statement said support was in place for those affected and named the diocesan safeguarding team and external organisations available to offer help.

The National Safeguarding Team will investigate the complaint while the suspension remains in place and the arrested person continues on conditional bail. The diocese named Dr Nicholas Chamberlain as acting diocesan bishop during this period and said it recognises this will be a deeply unsettling time for the community.