A DORSET born Bishop who was once a rector in Poole has been quizzed over allegations of sex abuse dating back more than 30 years.

The Bishop of Gloucester, The Right Reverend Michael Perham was questioned by police days after claiming he was standing down for personal reasons.

The allegations date back to 1980 and 1981 and relate to a woman and a child under the age of 18.

Police have confirmed that a 66-year-old man attended a police station in Gloucester but had not been arrested and inquiries were continuing.

The Diocese of Gloucester said it was a police matter and it would not be making any further comment.

The married father-of-four was born in Dorchester and attended the Old Hardye’s School from 1959 to 1964.

After starting his career as chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester, he returned to Dorset in a professional capacity in 1984 when he was appointed rector of the Oakdale Team Ministry in Poole.

Bishop Perham moved to Norwich Cathedral in 1992 and was appointed Bishop of Gloucester in January 2004.

He had previously announced his intention to retire in November this year.

The Bishop was a regular visitor to his home county of Dorset and was guest speaker at the Old Hardyeans Society annual reunion dinner in 2012, where he discussed his appointment to the House of Lords, the role of religion in modern society and his school days in Dorchester.

Earlier this year he attended a Candelmas service at St Mary’s Church in the county town.