The Bishop of Salisbury, The Rt Revd Stephen Lake, has been suspended after two complaints against him advanced to the next stage of a Church of England process. The church stated that the suspension is a neutral act as allegations are progressed and he is asked to respond.
The complaints involve allegations of financial misconduct and concerns raised with the National Safeguarding Team regarding his conduct. Bishop Lake voluntarily stepped down from his duties in the diocese, which covers most of Wiltshire, Dorset, and the Channel Islands, in April 2026.
The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, is currently serving as the acting Bishop of Salisbury. Bishop Lake, who was appointed to the role in 2022, previously stated he was co-operating "fully with the investigations" and looked "forward to the opportunity to be able to respond to the allegations brought under the Clergy Discipline Measure."
Regarding the financial misconduct allegations, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Salisbury clarified in April that the audited funds related to the Bishop of Salisbury's office and were "separate from parish share and other funds controlled by the Diocesan Board of Finance." When safeguarding concerns emerged in July, Wiltshire Police were reportedly not taking action, and the allegations did not involve children.