A retired Church of England bishop is one of two clergymen arrested by police investigating historic allegations of child sex abuse in East Sussex this morning (November 13).
Former Bishop of Lewes Peter Ball, 80, is being held at his Somerset home on suspicion of eight sex offences against eight boys and young men aged between 12 and their early 20s.
The abuse is alleged to have taken place in East Sussex and elsewhere in the late 1980s and 1990s.
An unnamed 67-year-old retired priest, has also been detained at his home near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, on suspicion of separate sex offences against two teenage boys in East Sussex between 1981 and 1983.
The arrests follow a review and subsequent inquiry over the past six months by a team of Sussex Police detectives.
Officers described it as a "very complex inquiry" during which many people, who are all now adults, have had to be traced along with witnesses and records.
A special helpline is for anyone who feels they need support or advice has been set up - 0800 389 5344.
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