Bishop of Lincoln resigns amid sex assault inquiry

The Bishop of Lincoln, the Right Reverend Stephen Conway, has resigned amid an ongoing investigation into an allegation of sexual assault.

It follows his arrest in February.

Conway's resignation, which will formally come into effect on 1 October, was confirmed in a statement from the Church of England.

"The complaint process is ongoing. Clergy remain subject to church disciplinary procedures following resignation or retirement," it said.

Conway had been suspended from ministry in February when a "safeguarding complaint" was made.

At the time, Lincolnshire Police said the arrest was part of an "ongoing investigation following an allegation that a man was sexually assaulted between 2018 and 2025".

Following Conway's resignation, the Church said Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, the Bishop of Grantham, would continue as Acting Bishop of Lincoln until a permanent replacement is chosen.

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