The Catholic Bishop of Northampton has been charged with two counts of rape against a girl aged under 16.

Staffordshire Police have said charges against Bishop David James Oakley, aged 70, follow his arrest in September last year.

He is due to appear at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 14th August.

In a statement, the Catholic Diocese of Northampton confirmed that charges had been brought against Bishop David following "an investigation into non-recent safeguarding allegations".

The diocese said: "We recognise that this news will be distressing for all concerned." It added that it would not comment further while legal proceedings remain active.

Bishop David has led the Diocese of Northampton since 2020. The diocese serves Catholics across Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Born in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1980 and served in several parishes within the Archdiocese of Birmingham before his appointment as bishop.

The Diocese covers Northampton, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.