Norfolk Priest Arrested Over Child Abuse Allegations

7 February 2013, 06:53 | Updated: 7 February 2013, 06:58

A Catholic Priest from Norfolk has been arrested by detectives investigating abuse at a care home back in the 1980s.

The Reverend Tony McSweeney, 66, from St Georges Church on Sprowston Road in Norwich is being held along with another man aged 70 from East Sussex on suspicion of sexual offences.

The historic allegations are all linked with Elm Guest House and the Grafton Close care home in Barnes in the south west of London.

A Diocese of East Anglia spokesman confirmed Revd McSweeney was arrested, and said: ``The safeguarding of children and vulnerable people is of paramount importance to the Catholic Church and the Diocese is co-operating fully with the police in this investigation.''

The arrests were made as part of Operation Fernbridge, which was started after concerns were raised by MP Tom Watson last year.