Bishop ‘abuse’ claim amid ‘sex party’ probe

A CATHOLIC bishop whose cathedral property was reportedly used for a lockdown ‘sex party’ was himself reported to police for alleged abuse, it has been revealed.

Robert Byrne, the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, was reported to police in December following an allegation of abuse made against him by a priest.

The 66-year-old resigned last month, saying the job was ‘too great a burden’.

The Vatican has since asked the Archbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahon to carry out an ‘in-depth’ inquiry into his resignation.

And the archbishop confirmed that Bishop Byrne had been reported to police in December, according to The Catholic Herald yesterday. The police force informed has not been named. It is understood there is no current inquiry.

It came as The Sunday Times reported at the weekend allegations that a ‘sex party’ took place in priests’ living quarters attached to St Mary’s Cathedral in Newcastle during lockdown. There was no suggestion that Bishop Byrne attended or knew about the alleged party.