Bishop steps down while finances are inspected

The Bishop of Salisbury has stepped down from his role while allegations of "potential financial irregularities" are looked into.

The Diocese of Salisbury said the Right Reverend Stephen Lake had stepped back voluntarily and the Bishop of Sherborne - the Right Reverend Karen Gorham - would cover his role while an audit took place.

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

The Church of England confirmed an audit was taking place following allegations relating to two separate funds.

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".

Lake has also stepped down from his role as a trustee of the Church Commissioners, a body which manages the Church of England's investment assets - valued at £11.1bn at the end of 2024.

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.

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