British police confirmed they were no longer investigating

Police have dropped controversial child abuse inquiry into an alleged pedophile priest according to a spokesman.

British police confirmed they were no longer investigating the allegation of child sex abuse against the late George Bell, former bishop of Chichester, due to lack of evidence. 

George Bell, a widely respected priest who spoke out against Nazi atrocities and saving Jews from persecution, was accused of child abuse in 2012.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was criticised for tarnishing the reputation of Dr. Bell – who died in 1958 after he accepted claims that the bishop was a prolific pedophile.

Britsh police in the county of Sussex said they had dropped the investigation into the allegations against the late George Bell.

According to a police statement: ‘The information was assessed and a proportionate investigation has been carried out to clarify the circumstances.

‘This was done thoroughly and sensitively … further police investigation or action is not possible as Bishop Bell died 60 years ago.

There are no current safeguarding issues. The matter is now closed as far as Sussex Police are concerned and the Church of England has been informed of this.’

According to the DailyMail: In January Lord Carlile accused the Church of an ‘unnecessary’ and ‘foolish’ attack on the bishop by making public a second uncorroborated abuse claim almost 70 years old.

A spokesman for the Church said: ‘Fresh information was received regarding Bishop Bell … In January the National Safeguarding Team announced it was commissioning an independent investigation into this information and we cannot make any further comment until the investigation is completed.’

A representative for Dr Welby did not respond to requests for comment.