Concerns over bishop referred to safeguarding team

Concerns about the conduct of the former Bishop of Salisbury have been referred to safeguarding experts, the Church of England has confirmed.

The BBC understands Wiltshire Police is not taking action against former bishop Stephen Lake and the allegations do not involve children.

Lake stepped back as diocesan bishop in April while allegations of "potential financial irregularities" were looked into. A financial audit remains ongoing.

On Friday a Church spokesperson confirmed that "concerns relating to Bishop Stephen Lake's conduct" were being looked into and "taken very seriously".

"Support is being offered to all those involved," the spokesperson added.

Lake took on the role of bishop in 2022, making him the most senior figure in the Church in the Diocese of Salisbury, which covers most of Dorset, Wiltshire and the Channel Islands.

In April a spokesperson for the Diocese of Salisbury said the two funds being audited related to the office of the Bishop of Salisbury but were "separate from parish share and other funds controlled by the Diocesan Board of Finance".

The 62-year-old, who grew up in Poole in Dorset, became a priest in 1989 and took on the role of Dean of Gloucester Cathedral before his position as bishop.

When stepping down from his position as bishop he also stepped down from his role as a trustee of the Church Commissioners.

The Church Commissioners manages the Church of England's investment assets - valued at £11.1bn at the end of 2024.

In a statement released on Friday, the Diocese of Salisbury said it had no further information about the referral to the safeguarding team and could not comment while an investigations was under way.

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