THE Bishop of Blackburn has backed new guidelines to stop clergy getting involved in sex scandals.

The new code of conduct for Anglican ministers has been drawn up by the Diocese of Oxford.

It suggests that male priests should avoid late night meetings with lone parishioners and avoid counselling "hysterical females", as well as looking out for warning signs like sweaty palms.

The bishop, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters said: "We live in sad times when the conduct of all professional workers is under particular scrutiny. The Oxford report is a timely reminder of the professionalism required by all clergy. "It's my belief that most clergy work in the way the guidelines suggest. The Oxford statement does not say anything that I was not taught in theological college 35 years ago."

Although the guidelines were drawn up in the wake of the notorious "Nine O'Clock Service" led by disgraced the Rev Chris Brain in Sheffield, they have taken on added significance following the Roman Catholic Bishop Roderick Wright scandal.

The Bishop of Blackburn added that Bishop Wright's behaviour in selling his story to the News of the World had been "despicable".

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