A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of assault after temporarily disrupting the start of a General Synod service at York Minster.
The man was restrained within yards of the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Justin Welby and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu as they processed in for the beginning of the Holy Communion service.
The Church of England said the man, who was held at the back of the minster before being removed by police, was not a protester.
A spokesman said two people suffered minor injuries in the scuffle – a member of Dr Sentamu's staff, Dave Smith, who had a bloodied face and a steward who suffered to have a bump to his head.
Mr Smith was seen by ambulance staff and changed his shirt before returning to the service.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We received a report of an assault on a male at York Minster. We were there within minutes and one male was arrested on suspicion of assault."
The Church of England later called for prayers for the arrested man.
It tweeted: "Local man with personal health issues and known to police was arrested following disruption to service this am. Please pray for him."
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