Bishop of Salisbury Stephen Lake is suspended from ministry by Archbishop of Canterbury over financial misconduct allegations

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has suspended the Rt Revd Stephen Lake as Bishop of Salisbury after two disciplinary complaints reached the formal response stage. Lake, 62, had withdrawn from his episcopal duties in April and stepped down as a Church Commissioners trustee following allegations of financial irregularities connected to two funds associated with his office. He says he has co-operated fully with investigations and looks forward to responding to the allegations.

The second complaint was raised with the Church of England's National Safeguarding Team and relates to Lake's conduct with adults, not children.

Lake also gave up his seat on the Church Commissioners — the body that controls the Church of England's investment assets — when the financial audit began.

The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, described the situation as 'shocking and distressing' and has been acting Bishop of Salisbury since April.