A CLERGYMAN seeking to become the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church was “surprised and dismayed” by 11th-hour allegations questioning his reputation but remained calm as an investigation got under way, a spokesman said yesterday.

The clergyman seeking to become the first openly gay bishop in America’s Anglican Church was “surprised and dismayed” by eleventh-hour allegations questioning his reputation, a spokesman said today.

US Episcopal leaders delayed a vote on whether to confirm the church’s first openly gay elected bishop after allegations emerged that he inappropriately touched a man and posted a pornography link on a youth website, a church spokesman said.

US Episcopal leaders delayed a vote tonight on whether to confirm the church’s first openly gay elected bishop after allegations emerged that he inappropriately touched a man and posted a pornography link on a youth website, a church spokesman said.