Archbishop of Canterbury resigns On a damning report given to a lawyer thought to be the most prolific serial harasser Church of England.

Justin Welby had happened We face increasing pressure to withdraw For John Smyth QC’s “failure” to alert authorities to his “disgusting” abuse of children and young men.

Smyth is said to be About 130 boys were exposed and young men have been subjected to traumatic physical, sexual and psychological abuse for over fifty years in the UK and Africa.

The Makin review into the abuse against Smyth, published last week, concluded that if Mr Welby had formally reported the situation to police a decade ago he could have been brought to justice.

“It is clear that I must take personal and corporate responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” Mr Welby said.

He said: “The last few days have renewed my long-held and profound sense of shame at the historic preservation failures of the Church of England.

“I believe it is in the interests of the Church of England, which I love and have the honor to serve, to step aside.”

Key points

Key dates in the John Smyth scandal

15:57 , Alexander Butler

• 1970s and 1980s: John Smyth physically abused boys in Christian camps in the UK and Africa

• 1982: An investigation by the Iwerne Foundation, which runs the camps, revealed allegations of abuse but did not report it to the police

• 2013: Church of England knew about allegations at ‘highest level’, Makin report says

• 2013: Police informed – Welby now says he “wrongly believed an appropriate decision would be made”

• 2016: Iwerne Trust’s report made public

• 2017: Channel 4 News investigation highlights findings

• 2018: Smyth died in Cape Town before facing justice

• 2019: An independent report, led by Keith Makin, has been commissioned to examine Church’s handling of the Smyth case

• November 7, 2024: Makin report released – Justin Welby initially said he wouldn’t resign but changed his mind days later

Failure to report sexual abuse should be a crime, says former NCA director

15:41 , Alexander Butler

Failure to report sexual abuse should be a crime, the former director of the UK’s National Crime Agency has said.

Paul Stanfield has said the law needs to be changed following a spate of alleged cover-ups of sexual abuse in institutions.

“People in power cannot be allowed to turn a blind eye to abuse. “When victims and survivors have the courage to come forward, that courage must be repaid with action to ensure justice is served,” he said.

Last week Welby insisted he would not resign

15:24 , Alexander Butler

Following the publication on Thursday of the Makin review of John Smyth, who criticized the Archbishop of Canterbury’s handling of the case, Justin Welby said he had “actually thought about the resignation a lot for quite a long time”.

Speaking to Channel 4 last week, Mr Welby added: “I’ve given this matter (resigning) a lot of thought and recently took advice from senior colleagues this morning and no, I will not be resigning.”

“It is now clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” he says.

King had private conversations with Welby through ‘intermediaries’

15:22 , Alexander Butler

King Charles, supreme governor of the Church of England, held private talks with Justin Welby through intermediaries this morning.

These words confirmed the resignation process followed by his deputies. The King’s public remarks will be reserved for the official departure point.

Mukhtar ‘very sad’

15:00 , Alexander Butler

The clergyman behind the petition calling on the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign, the Reverend Dr Ian Paul, Deputy Minister of St Nic’s Church in Nottingham, said he was “deeply saddened” by the situation.

He said: “I’m not thrilled at all, I’m very upset, I’m sorry this episode came up, I feel sorry for the victims, the survivors and the fact that they have to go through this again.”

“I think it’s sad that this whole thing happened, I think it’s sad that the Makin Report happened, and I think it’s sad that it took this long for meaningful action to happen.”

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns: Read full resignation letter

14:52 , Alexander Butler

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns: Read full resignation letter

Labor puts pressure on Justin Welby as he faces calls to resign over sex abuse scandal

14:50 , Alexander Butler

Labor piles pressure on Justin Welby, who faces calls to resign over sexual abuse row

Archbishop of York welcomes resignation

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Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said Justin Welby’s resignation was “the right and honorable thing to do”.

He said: “As Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin has decided to take responsibility for the failings identified in the Makin review. I believe this was the right and honourable thing to do.

“Whilst this has been a difficult day for Justin, I pray that it will be an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the many positive aspects of his ministry and his great commitment to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and, above all, to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Full description

14:38 , Alexander Butler

“Having received the gracious permission of His Majesty the King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.

“Makin Review has exposed the long-running conspiracy of silence regarding John Smyth’s disgusting abuses.

“When I was informed in 2013 and told that the police had been notified, I wrongly believed that a suitable solution would be found.

“It is clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024.

“It is my duty to fulfill my constitutional and church responsibilities so the exact timing will be decided once a review of the necessary obligations, including those in England and the Anglican Communion, has been completed.

“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England takes the need for change and our deep commitment to creating a safer church. “As I leave office, I do so with a heavy heart and with all the victims and survivors of abuse.

“The last few days have renewed the deep sense of shame I have long felt at the historic preservation failures of the Church of England. I have been trying to make improvements for about 12 years. It is the job of others to judge what has been done.

“In the meantime, I will fulfill my commitment to meet the victims. I will transfer all other current safeguarding responsibilities until the required risk assessment process has been completed.

“I ask everyone to keep my wife Caroline and my children in their prayers. They have been my greatest support throughout my service, and I am forever grateful for their sacrifices.

“Caroline led the spouses program during the Lambeth Conference and traveled tirelessly in conflict zones to support the most vulnerable, women and those who care for them locally.

“I believe it is in the interests of the Church of England, which I love so much and have the honor to serve, to step aside. I pray that this decision will lead us to the love of Jesus Christ for each of us.

“Above all, my deepest devotion is to the person of Jesus Christ, my savior and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world and the hope of every man.”

Church of England calls on sexual abuse victim Welby to resign a day before resignation

14:36 , Alexander Butler

The Church of England has called on sexual abuse victim Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign.

Pressure is mounting on the Archbishop for failing to act tougher on serial abuser John Smyth.

One of Smyth’s victims, Mark Stibbe, is thought to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church. Channel 4 News On Monday, November 11: “He didn’t do the right thing. “He should have made sure the abuse was properly reported to the authorities.”

Mr Stibbe called on Mr Welby to do “the right thing and resign now”.

Justin Welby resigns from Church of England

14:33 , Alexander Butler

The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned following a damning report against a lawyer thought to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England.

Justin Welby was facing mounting pressure to back down over their “failure” to alert authorities to John Smyth QC’s “disgusting” abuse of children and young men.

Smyth is said to have subjected up to 130 boys and young men to traumatic physical, sexual and psychological abuse over five decades in the UK and Africa.

The Makin review into the abuse against Smyth, published last week, concluded that if Mr Welby had formally reported the situation to police a decade ago he could have been brought to justice.

“It is clear that I must take personal and corporate responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” Mr Welby said.

He said: “The last few days have renewed my long-held and profound sense of shame at the historic preservation failures of the Church of England.

“I believe it is in the interests of the Church of England, which I love and have the honor to serve, to step aside.”