Bishop Of Lincoln Arrested and Suspended as Safeguarding Inquiry Continues

The bishop of lincoln has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and suspended from ministry while a safeguarding complaint is investigated. The clergyman was released on conditional bail as the National Safeguarding Team and statutory authorities respond to the allegation, and diocesan leadership has been rearranged for the duration of the inquiry.

Bishop Of Lincoln: Arrest, Bail and Suspension

Police action in an ongoing investigation led to the arrest of a 68-year-old man as part of inquiries into an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025. The arrested individual was subsequently released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

The clergyman has been suspended from ministry while a complaint submitted to the National Safeguarding Team is examined under the House of Bishops' code of practice. The suspension has been implemented by the senior church authority responsible for such matters, and the complaint has also been referred to the appropriate statutory authorities for investigation and any further action they may determine necessary.

During the suspension period, the Suffragan Bishop of Grantham will carry out diocesan duties. The diocese has indicated that pastoral and safeguarding support is available for anyone affected and that there will be no further public comment while the process is ongoing. The initial complaint was made to the National Safeguarding Team at the end of January.

Background, Diocesan Response and What Happens Next

The bishop of lincoln was formally installed in his current role in 2023 and has previously served in senior episcopal positions elsewhere. He is also a member of the upper chamber of the UK legislature, a role he has held since 2014. Following his suspension, he resigned from an external visitor role at a national shrine; that post will be filled in due course.

The diocese has named an acting diocesan leader and emphasised that support structures are in place, including access to the diocesan safeguarding team. External support agencies were noted as available for those needing assistance. The statement from diocesan authorities described the period as likely to be deeply unsettling for the local church community and encouraged anyone with concerns to contact safeguarding contacts that have been made available.

Procedurally, the matter remains in the hands of both the church's safeguarding processes and the statutory authorities. The combined pathway—referral to the national safeguarding body, suspension under the House of Bishops' code of practice, and concurrent statutory investigation—frames the immediate sequence of activity. The arrested person is on conditional bail, and the church has paused public duties for the duration of the inquiry.

This is a developing situation. Further procedural steps will follow from the National Safeguarding Team and the statutory authorities as their enquiries progress. The diocese has indicated it will limit public comment while those processes continue, and support resources remain available for anyone affected by the allegation and subsequent actions.

Key timeline (based only on published steps so far):

• Complaint made to the National Safeguarding Team at the end of January.
• Arrest of a 68-year-old man in connection with an allegation that an assault occurred between 2018 and 2025.
• Release on conditional bail following arrest.
• Suspension from ministry enacted and diocesan leadership delegated to the Suffragan Bishop of Grantham.
• Resignation from an external visitor role at a national shrine; successor to be chosen in due course.

Officials and safeguarding representatives will continue their enquiries; details may evolve as statutory and church processes proceed.