Kirk suspends parish minister

MYSTERY last night surrounded the suspension of a Church of Scotland minister, pending an investigation into allegations regarding his conduct.

The Rev Stephen Emery, 45, who is minister of Ellon Parish Church in Aberdeenshire, was placed on temporary suspension after allegations were made to his local Presbytery in Gordon. The nature of the allegations have not been disclosed.

Members of the congregation were told of their minister’s suspension at a service on Sunday. Mr Emery was ordained in November 2006.