Vicar arrested on suspicion of voyeurism

Rev Richard Lee (second from right), is pictured outside Locking's St Augustine's Church in 2008 with his wife Rev Anne Lee (left), former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and his wife Eileen.

Web exclusive, James Franklin Thursday, November 1, 2012
9:00 AM

A VICAR from North Somerset has been arrested on suspicion of voyeurism.

The Reverend Richard Lee, who officiated at St Augustine’s Church in Locking and St Mary’s Church in Hutton, is currently on police bail while allegations against him are investigated.

A police spokesman said: “We arrested a 48-year-old man from Weston on suspicion of voyeurism in July of this year.

“Investigations are ongoing and the man remains on police bail.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Bath and Wells said: “Further to our statement on October 31, the Diocese of Bath and Wells can confirm that the Revd Richard Lee was arrested in July 2012.

“In accordance with the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003, the Bishop of Bath and Wells suspended Mr Lee from active ministry as soon as he was arrested.

“The Diocese of Bath and Wells has and will continue to fully co-operate with police enquiries. There will be no further comment until the police have concluded their investigation.”

Mr Lee moved to North Somerset from Gillingham in Kent in January 2007 alongside his wife the Rev Anne Lee, who also works at the two churches.

They met and married while studying to be priests at college in Nottingham, before working at different churches in North London and taking up posts at the same church in Kent, where they stayed for nine years.

As well as his work at the churches in Locking and Hutton, he helped coordinate the Weston Worship Jam Date group based at Locking village hall, and was the diocese’s vocation chaplain.