Bishop of Lincoln arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

BREAKING

According to police, The Right Rev Stephen Conway has been released on conditional bail.

Lincolnshire police confirmed that as part of an “ongoing investigation following an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025”, a 68-year-old man was arrested.

The BBC reported that the Diocese of Lincoln confirmed that the initial complaint against Conway was made to the Church of England's national safeguarding team at the end of January.

The diocese of Lincoln earlier confirmed that the bishop had been suspended from his duties.

“The bishop of Lincoln, the Right Rev Stephen Conway, has been suspended from ministry while a complaint made to the national safeguarding team is responded to according to House of Bishops code of practice. This includes referral to the appropriate statutory authorities”, it said in a statement.

The statement said that the diocesan duties will be taken over by the bishop of Grantham, the Right Rev Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, during the suspension.

“Support is in place for those affected and there will be no further comment while the process is ongoing. We understand that this will be a deeply unsettling time. The diocesan safeguarding team is available for anyone who wishes to contact them”, the diocese added.

Conway, who previously served as bishop of Ramsbury and bishop of Ely, was installed as bishop of Lincoln in 2023.

Since 2014, he has been a member of the House of Lords.