Bishop handed disciplinary complaint

The Bishop of Salisbury has had a disciplinary complaint brought against him following an investigation into financial irregularities.

The Rt Revd Stephen Lake was handed the complaint following a Church of England investigation.

Lake, 62, who was appointed Bishop of Salisbury in 2022 and stepped down voluntarily in April, is also facing a separate disciplinary complaint over safeguarding concerns that do not relate to children.

A spokesperson for the Church of England confirmed that "a disciplinary complaint under the clergy discipline measure has now been brought against him [Lake]".

"Subsequent to these allegations, concerns relating to Bishop Stephen's conduct were raised with the National Safeguarding Team," the spokesperson added.

"These have been taken very seriously and responded to according to House of Bishops Code of Practice.

"A second and separate disciplinary complaint under the clergy discipline measure has been brought against Bishop Stephen in relation to these concerns."

"Bishop Stephen remains stepped back from ministry."

As Bishop, Lake was the most senior figure 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 as part of the investigation 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 became a priest in 1989 and previously served as the Dean of Gloucester Cathedral.

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

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

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