A senior bishop and his clergywoman colleague have stepped down from their jobs after speculation about their relationship.

The Bishop of St David’s, Carl Cooper, has agreed to take “a leave of absence” after calls for an inquiry into whether his behaviour with a married member of his staff could justifiably be called scandalous. His chaplain, Rev Mandy Williams-Potter has also quit her role for a "leave of absence" at the request of the Archbishop of Wales.

Right Rev Cooper, who split from his wife of 25 years last month, denies that the relationship with Mrs Williams-Potter led to the downfall of his marriage. But the chaplain said last week that her own marriage is on the brink of separation, raising speculation that the two are romantically linked. The move to leave their duties heightens the speculation surrounding them.

The Bishop has been in talks with the Archbishop of Wales over the past week and a statement from the Church in Wales last night said: “Following consultation with the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, about the particular difficulties in the Diocese of St David’s, the Bishop of St David’s, the Rt Rev Carl Cooper, has agreed to take leave of absence.”

It is not known how long the bishop will be away from his duties. But a preliminary investigation into his conduct is under way and if a full investigation begins the bishop could face a church court presided over by the Archbishop of Wales and four other bishops.

Mrs Williams-Potter, 38, who also works as the bishop’s press officer, says the rumours surrounding the pair are unfounded and that they are “just good friends”.

The bishop’s decision to take a break from his post comes after 23 clergy from his diocese called on the Archbishop of Wales to investigate their leader’s private life.

In a letter to the Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, the clergy said: “It is an opportunity to say that where there is a perception of conduct giving just cause for scandal the circumstances should be subject to the Church's investigative and disciplinary procedures.

“For us as clergy to do any less would be to acquiesce in a situation which is causing distress across the diocese to many, both lay and ordained,” the letter continued.

The clergy stressed that an investigation may not find anything untoward but wanted “clarification” of the circumstances surrounding the bishop’s separation.

A spokesman for Dr Morgan said in response to the letter: “The Church's policy is that all clergy have to be above suspicion. Any allegations of misconduct or inappropriate conduct are investigated as a matter of course.”