Bishop Bruised And Bashed
Updated: 10:41, Monday December 11, 2006
A bishop has had to face his congregation with a black eye and swollen head after an incident that followed a drinks party.
The Rt Rev Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark, lost his briefcase, crucifix and mobile phone after leaving a reception at the Irish Embassy.
His head was so bruised he could not wear his mitre the next day. He insisted he could not remember anything and claimed he had been robbed.
However, Paul Sumpter, who was also at the party, said he had found the senior clergyman in the back of his car.
He heard his car alarm go off and ran outside to find the bishop sitting in the back seat throwing children's toys around.
When Mr Sumpter asked him what he was doing, the bishop replied: "I'm the Bishop of Southwark, it's what I do."
It was claimed he fell over after being helped out of the car, whereupon eyewitnesses said he staggered off down the pavement.
A spokesman for the bishop said: "He, like other people, was drinking at a reception. He left to come home by public transport but when he arrived he did not have his briefcase or his mobile phone.
"He does not remember what happened but when he got home he had a bump and cuts on the back of his head and a black eye.
"He reported the matter to the police and sought medical attention. He told people that he had apparently been mugged. That's what he said at that stage and that is what he still thinks."
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