THE man leading the investigation into a Roman Catholic priest who has been suspended from duty for the past six months has said inquiries were moving slowly.

Father Michael Higginbottom was withdrawn from St Augustine's Church, in Darlington, in December, after "information" was received by the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

Father Dennis Tindall, the diocese's child and vulnerable adult protection officer, is heading the investigation.

He said: "The investigation is still ongoing at a slow pace. It has always been moving at a slow pace, but this is not due to a particular fault with the proceedings.

"As the investigation is continuing and we are working with the police, I can not discuss the details.

"Fr Higginbottom has been made clearly aware of some of the features of the investigation, but is not aware of them all at this stage.

"When we have completed our inquiries, we will release a statement explaining the outcome, as I am sure many people will wish to know how everything came about. However, I do not know when that will be."

Parishioners said they were frustrated at not being informed about the investigation's progress, why it was launched and are concerned Fr Higginbottom is being kept in the dark.

One parishioner, who asked not to be named, said: "We feel sheer frustration as the investigation is no further on from when it started and nobody is telling us anything.

"We are also very upset as Fr Higginbottom must be going through hell, especially as he has not been told the full extent why he has been suspended.

"We hope this whole thing just comes to an end soon, but that does not seem likely."

The Northern Echo reported earlier this week how members of the congregation had written to the Bishop of the diocese, Kevin Dunn, to demand answers.