George Pell interviewed by Victoria Police over sexual assault allegations

Cardinal George Pell has been interviewed by Victoria Police in Rome regarding allegations of sexual assault.

Cardinal George Pell has been interviewed in Rome by Victoria Police officers.

Cardinal George Pell has been interviewed by Victoria Police in Rome regarding allegations of sexual assault.

Victoria police released a statement this afternoon saying three officers travelled to Rome last week to interview Cardinal Pell and as a result of the interview further investigations are continuing.

Cardinal Pell voluntarily participated in the interview.

Victoria Police said they were not prepared to comment further at this time.

The Australian revealed earlier this month that Cardinal Pell has sought advice from Robert Richter QC, one of Australia’s leading criminal barristers.

Claims surfaced earlier this year that Cardinal Pell had assaulted children in Ballarat nearly 40 years ago.

A spokesperson for Cardinal Pell said he was considering legal action against organisations “promoting these calumnies”.

In August Pope Francis said there were doubts about the allegations concerning Cardinal Pell.

“We must avoid a media verdict, a verdict based on gossip,” he said.

It was reported in February that Victoria Police’s Sano Taskforce was investigating Cardinal Pell over allegations spanning from his time as a priest in Bal­larat in the 1970s to his time as archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s.

Cardinal Pell has consistently denied the allegations.

Today a statement from the cardinal’s spokesperson confirmed that he was voluntarily interviewed by Victoria Police in Rome.

“The Cardinal repeats his previous rejection of all and every allegation of sexual abuse and will continue to co-operate with Victoria Police until the investigation is finalised,” the statement said.