Bishop of Salisbury Faces Disciplinary Complaint Following Financial Investigation

The Bishop of Salisbury is facing a disciplinary complaint following a Church of England investigation into financial irregularities.

The Rt Revd Stephen Lake, 62, was handed the complaint following the investigation. He was appointed Bishop of Salisbury in 2022 but voluntarily stepped down from public ministry in April.

Lake is also facing a separate disciplinary complaint relating to safeguarding concerns that do not involve children.

A spokesperson for the Church of England confirmed that a disciplinary complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure has now been brought against Bishop Stephen.

The Church of England said concerns relating to the bishop's conduct were subsequently raised with its National Safeguarding Team.

Those concerns have been taken seriously and have been dealt with in accordance with the House of Bishops Code of Practice.

A second and separate disciplinary complaint has now been brought against Bishop Stephen in relation to those safeguarding concerns.

The Church of England confirmed that Bishop Stephen remains stepped back from ministry while the matters are considered.

In a statement, Lake said he would continue to stand back voluntarily from public ministry and had fully co-operated with the investigations.

He added that he looked forward to having the opportunity to respond to the allegations brought under the Clergy Discipline Measure.

The financial investigation relates to two funds connected with the office of the Bishop of Salisbury. In April, the Diocese of Salisbury said the funds being audited were separate from parish share and other funds controlled by the Diocesan Board of Finance.

As Bishop of Salisbury, Lake was the most senior figure in the Diocese of Salisbury, which covers most of Wiltshire and Dorset as well as the Channel Islands.

The investigation and disciplinary complaints come after Lake stepped down voluntarily from his public ministry earlier this year.

Lake became a priest in 1989 and previously served as Dean of Gloucester Cathedral before becoming Bishop of Salisbury.

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

The Church Commissioners are responsible for managing the Church of England's investment assets, which were valued at £11.1bn at the end of 2024.

The disciplinary complaints do not represent a finding of wrongdoing, and the processes under the Clergy Discipline Measure will allow the allegations to be considered and responded to.

For the Diocese of Salisbury, the situation involves its most senior former bishop and comes as the Church of England continues to consider the financial and safeguarding concerns raised during the investigations.