AN 80-year old man was arrested at his home near Langport this morning (November 13) on suspicion of eight sexual offences.

The Rt Rev Peter Ball, from Aller, was arrested for offences against eight boys and young men, ranging in age from 12 to the early twenties, at addresses in East Sussex and elsewhere, during the late 1980s and early 1990's.

Bishop Ball was the former Bishop of Gloucester but resigned in 1993 after receiving a police caution for committing an act of gross indecency against a teenager.

Detective Chief Inspector Carwyn Hughes of Sussex Police, who is in charge of the investigation, said; "We make it clear that the force will always take seriously any allegations of historic sexual offending, and every possible step will be taken to investigate whenever appropriate.

“Allegations of historic offences are treated just as seriously as any more recent offences.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said Bishop Ball is currently in custody.