Minister suspended by Kirk after wife accuses him of affair in front of packed church service

A Scottish minister has been suspended from the Kirk after his wife accused him of having an affair in front of shocked parishioners.

The Rev Edward Lyons, 48, faces a misconduct probe after the incident at Penninghame St John’s Parish Church in Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire.

Spouse Caroline, 45, allegedly made the claim that he had been cheating on her with a parishioner.

Officials at the Church admitted it was a "difficult time for all those involved", as they confirmed an investigation had been launched.

A source told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: "Everybody is talking about it. Edward was very popular and highly thought of so these allegations have come as a complete and utter shock.

“He’s just the stereotypical trendy young minister. He has longer hair, a beard, he plays electric guitar, does karate and rides a bike.

"His wife said he had been cheating on her with a senior member of the flock and it looks like she has booted him out.

"Edward appears to be staying with the new woman and they’ve been seen down at the supermarket. He preaches family values and thou shalt not commit adultery but it seems he might be a total hypocrite."

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A spokesman for the Church of Scotland confirmed: “Rev Lyons has been administratively suspended from his role and is subject to disciplinary proceedings under Church law.

"It would be inappropriate to make any further comment."

According to the church's website, Rev Lyons was born and brought up in Glasgow before he studied biochemistry at Strathclyde University as an atheist.

After a church visit on Christmas Eve, he converted to Christianity.

The church's website reads: "In his third year at Strathclyde Edward felt called to change the course of his life and was accepted in 2000 as a candidate for the ministry with the Church of Scotland which saw him study Theology receiving his B.D from University of Glasgow and his M.Th from University of Edinburgh.

"During his studies he not only spent time working in the west end and suburbs of Glasgow, Arran & Sutherland he also found time to meet his wife Caroline whilst taking part in a youth mission week.

"Whilst a probationer at St Ninians in Stirling he received his call to Penninghame St John's which saw him preach as sole nominee to the congregation on Christmas Eve 2006.

"He went on to be ordained in February 2007."

Sources told the Sun she revealed fears just days after their anniversary that he had strayed with a long-time parishioner who has been involved in events at the kirk.