Former Church of England Bishop who describes Prince Charles as a 'loyal friend' charged with sex offences dating back to 1977

Rev Peter Ball meeting Prince Charles in 1992. The bishop, now 82, has
described him as 'a loyal friend' in the past

A retired Church of England Bishop is due in court over sex offences and misconduct charges, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Peter Ball, formerly the Bishop of Gloucester and Bishop of Lewes, will be prosecuted for historic offences dating back to 1977.

They include an alleged indecent assault on a boy, aged 12 or 13, indecent assault on a man aged 19 or 20, and misconduct in a public office.

Ball, 82, is due to appear at Brighton Magistrates Court next month.

Ball, former bishop of Lewes and later Gloucester, has connections with Prince Charles whom he has described in the past as a 'loyal friend'.

He is thought to be the highest member of the clergy to be arrested in connection with a sex abuse investigation.  (more...)

Former Church of England Bishop who describes Prince Charles as a 'loyal friend' charged with sex offences dating back to 1977

And then, it gets really weird:

Rent boys, the Crystal Methodist and twisted values at the BBC

But it gets better:

Church will embrace gay marriage, says Archbishop Welby