The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it will take no further action against a village church rector accused of a historic indecent assault.
Revd Simon Sayers was removed from St James CoE Church in Emsworth, Hampshire, and St Thomas a Beckett in Warblington after the allegation was made in January.
Police said the allegation against the rector was indecent assault in early 1990s in the Islington area.
Revd Sayers was due to answer bail yesterday and was told by detectives the case had been dropped.
He will not be immediately allowed to return to work thought, the Diocese of Portsmouth said.
A spokesman said: "We understand that the police investigation into the Revd Simon Sayers, rector of St James, Emsworth, and St Thomas a Becket, Warblington, has been dropped.
"When he was arrested in January, he was suspended from all parish duties by the bishop, in line with Church of England policy, while the investigation took place.
"Now that the police investigation is complete, the Diocese of Portsmouth needs to examine the details of the allegations for itself in order to determine the best way forward for Simon's ministry and the parish."
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