A BISHOP from Dorchester who was questioned over allegations of historic sex abuse will not face any charges.

Bishop of Gloucester Michael Perham, who was born and educated in the county town, was spoken to by the Metropolitan Police in connection with allegations of abuse against a child in the 1980s.

A statement from Bishop of Durham, Rt. Revd. Paul Butler, Lead Bishop on Safeguarding for the Church of England, said: “We can confirm that we have been notified by the Metropolitan Police that following enquiries they are to take no further action regarding the allegations made against the Rt Revd. Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester.

“The Church of England takes any allegations of abuse very seriously and is committed to being a safe place for all.

“As in any case where allegations of this nature are made any police investigation is followed by a rigorous process to assess whether there are any ongoing safeguarding issues.

“We would ask for continuing prayers for all of those affected by these events and those involved in ongoing processes.”

Bishop Perham attended the old Hardye’s School in Dorchester from 1959 to 1964 and later returned to Dorset in a professional capacity when he was appointed rector of the Oakdale Team Ministry in Poole in 1984.

He was a regular visitor to the county in recent years and was a guest speaker at the Old Hardyeans Society annual reunion dinner in 2012, where he discussed his appointment to the House of Lords.

Earlier this year he also attended a Candlemas service at St Mary’s Church in Dorchester.